CORRECTED COPY: SEPTEMBER 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006197 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SENV UNSC CH JA KN FR SF IN SU SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: SEPTEMBER 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING ¶1. Key points at the September 18 MFA Press Briefing were: -- No new date has been set for the Six-Party Talks. -- The Chinese government opposes the Dalai Lama's meeting with German Chancellor Merkel. -- China and Japan will hold consultations on the East China Sea in late October. -- The first shipment of 50,000 tons of Chinese heavy oil has arrived in North Korea. -- Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) Zhai Jun will lead the Chinese delegation for high-level consultations on Darfur on September 21 in New York. -- FM Yang Jiechi will lead the Chinese delegation to UN talks on climate change on September 24. -- VISITS: Indian Special Envoy Menon is visiting China and met with FM Yang Jiechi and AFM He Yafei. DPRK Vice Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Kim Yong Il is visiting China and met with FM Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei. Vice President Zeng Qinghong will meet with South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka December 23-26 for the third meeting of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission. Six Party Talks -------------- ¶2. At the September 18 regular MFA press briefing, spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that the Chinese government is consulting with other participants in the Six-Party Talks to set a new date for talks to begin Asked to clarify when U.S. State DepartmentAssistant Secretary Christopher Hill would reurn to China, she advised the journalist to check with Hill himself. German Chancellor's Meeting With Dalai Lama -------------- ¶3. Responding to a request for comment on the Dalai Lama's planned meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Jiang emphasized that Tibet is a part of China and that the Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure, but a political force involved in efforts to split the motherland. The Chinese government hopes that other countries recognize these "splittist" activities and further hopes that no country, including Germany, will meet with the Dalai Lama. East China Sea Consultations -------------- ¶4. When asked about the upcoming Chinese-Japanese talks on the East China Sea, Jiang replied that the talks are slated for late October, but no specific date has yet been set. She added that China is maintaining a pragmatic and optimistic viewpoint and is looking forward to continued work with Japan on this issue. Heavy Oil Shipments to DPRK -------------- ¶5. In response to a question on the Chinese shipment of 50,000 tons of heavy oil to North Korea, Jiang said that the delivery is "under implementation," and that the first ship had arrived at Nampo on September 16. She later clarified that the shipment is underway, but not yet complete. Jiang said she "hoped it would conclude soon." Darfur Consultations in New York -------------- ¶6. Jiang said AFM Zhai Jun will lead China's delegation to the second high-level consultations on Darfur in New York. During the consultations, China plans to discuss the political situation, human rights, security, development, reconstruction and the need to respect Sudanese sovereignty while finding a political means to realize peace and stability via the tripartite mechanism of the African Union, the UN and the Sudanese government. Climate Change -------------- ¶7. FM Yang Jiechi will lead China's delegation to the September 24 UN High-Level Event on climate change. China fully supports the objectives of this meeting and looks forward to multilateral negotiations within the UN framework, which will increase cooperation and be good for the negotiations. Chinese-Indian Relations -------------- ¶8. Asked to comment on Indian Foreign Minister Mukherjee's remarks on the importance of China to India and that both BEIJING 00006197 002 OF 002 countries have "enough space for common development," Jiang said the Foreign Ministry has taken note of the comments and that China is striving to move forward in a strategic partnership with India. Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Indian Special Representative and National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan will meet in China for the eleventh time September 24-26, during which time both countries will seek solutions to problems which are "acceptable to both countries, according to the relevant principles." She also said Menon had met with Yang Jiechi and He Yafei to exchange views on bilateral issues and issues of common interest. France's Fighting Words on Iran -------------- ¶9. Asked for comment on French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's recent comments that the international community must "prepare for the worst," with Iran, Jiang said that countries must respect one another to resolve their differences, and that a government-negotiated peaceful settlement is the best means. She said China opposes the use of force in international affairs. Aid to DR Congo -------------- ¶10. In response to a question about rumors of China's providing USD5 billion in aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jiang replied that she too had heard the rumors and would check on them. DPRK Vice Foreign Minister's Visit -------------- ¶11. Asked about DPRK Vice Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Kim Yong Il's visit to China, Jiang said Kim is visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and will meet with Yang Jiechi and Wu Dawei, as well as visiting other cities. When asked if Kim's visit is related to the cancellation of the Six-Party Talks, she reiterated that Kim is visiting at the invitation of the Foreign Ministry. Upcoming Visit of South African Deputy President -------------- --- ¶12. Jiang said Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong will meet South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka December 23-26 on the occasion of the third meeting of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission. Randt