SEPTEMBER 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PM ABE'S

UNCLAS BEIJING 006004 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV JA CH RS ID IR SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PM ABE'S RESIGNATION, NEW RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER, RESPONSE TO PDAS CHRISTENSEN'S TAIWAN COMMENTS, SIX-PARTY TALKS, IRAN SPECIAL ENVOY VISIT, INDONESIAN EARTHQUAKE ¶1. Key points at the September 13 MFA Press Briefing were: -- Abe's resignation is an internal affair of Japan and China attaches great importance to the development of Sino-Japanese ties. -- The choice of a new Russian prime minister is an internal affair of that country. China and Russia have a strategic cooperative partnership. -- In PDAS Christensen's September 11 speech on Taiwan, the United States said it will stick to its one China policy. China hopes the United States will help it make joint efforts to ensure cross-Strait stability. -- No date has been set for the upcoming Six-Party Talks. -- China welcomes the Iran-IAEA action plan and is satisfied with Iran's efforts to cooperate with the IAEA. Reaction to Abe's Resignation -------------- ¶2. At the September 13 regular MFA press briefing, Spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Japanese PM Abe's resignation was an internal affair of Japan. China attaches "great importance" to the steady development of ties, she stated. At present, China and Japan are building mutual trust. Jiang declined to speculate on a possible China visit for the new Japanese prime minister. She stated that China and Japan "will have positive consultations on the issue." A New Prime Minister in Moscow -------------- ¶3. The selection of a new prime minister in Russia is an internal affair of that country, Jiang said. The two countries cooperate in the areas of politics, economics, trade, science and technology. Sino-Russian relations are characterized by a "strategic cooperative partnership," she said. PDAS Christensen's Speech and U.S. Taiwan Policy -------------- --- ¶4. When asked to comment on PDAS Tom Christensen's September 11 speech on Taiwan, Jiang relayed that the United States has said it would stick to its one China policy in line with the three joint communiques to oppose Taiwan's efforts at a referendum. She stated her hope that the United States will abide by the communiques and help China make "joint efforts" to ensure cross-Strait stability. Jiang reiterated China's position on Taiwan and said that the Taiwan authorities are making efforts to split the motherland. These are "doomed to failure," she stated. New Vice Foreign Minister, Ambassador to Japan? -------------- -- ¶5. In response to a question asking for confirmation regarding Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi becoming Vice FM and Cui Tiankai becoming the next Ambassador to Japan, Jiang said an announcement would be made in due course. No Date Set for Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶6. When asked for details about the upcoming Six-Party Talks, Jiang replied that no date has yet been decided upon, but the Chinese government will announce a date as soon as it has been agreed upon. Iran's Interior Minister Visiting China -------------- ¶7. Iran's Interior Minister is visiting China today and tomorrow. He will meet with MFA officials and exchange views on Sino-Iranian relations. China welcomes the Iran-IAEA action plan and is satisfied with Iran's recent efforts to cooperate with IAEA investigations. Continued negotiation is the best way forward in this matter. Earthquake in Indonesia -------------- ¶8. Asked for comment on China's reaction and possible aid regarding Indonesia's earthquake, Jiang expressed her sympathy and said she hopes the Indonesian people will overcome their difficulties to rebuild their homeland. Randt