SEPTEMBER 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BURMA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006294 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SENV UNSC CH JA KN KS RS TW BM GM SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BURMA DEMONSTRATIONS, NEW JAPAN PM, SIX-PARTY TALKS, MERKEL-DALAI LAMA MEETING, LIMATE CHANGE, RUSSIA ¶1. Key points at the September 25 MFA Press Briefing were: -- Stabiity in Burma serves the interests of Burma and the international community; China sticks toa policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. -- No information on upcoming high-level visits between Japan and China in the near future. -- Chinese heavy fuel assistance to the DPRK is under "active preparation and implementation." -- German Chancellor Merkel's meeting with the Dalai Lama was a "gross interference" in China's internal affairs. -- NDRC Vice Chairman Xie Zhenhua will attend a meeting on climate change hosted by President Bush this week. Stability Serves Burma and International Community -------------- -------------- ¶2. At the September 25 regular MFA press briefing, spokeswoman Jiang Yu said stability in Burma serves the interests of Burma and the international community and that China sticks to a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, in response to several questions on China's reaction to demonstrations in Burma. China hopes and believes Burma's Government and people can handle the current situation and achieve stability and economic development. New Japanese PM, China Hopes for Continued Cooperation -------------- -------------- ¶3. Jiang expressed China's congratulations to new Japanese PM Fukuda, adding that China will adhere to friendly policies between China and Japan on the basis of the three joint political documents and work together to promote cooperation and develop the relationship on a sound and stable track. Asked about the status of high-level Government visits between China and Japan in the near future, Jiang replied that the two sides reached a consensus on this issue last year and China is willing to work together with Japan to implement that consensus earnestly. DPRK VFM Kim Kye-gwan in Beijing -------------- ¶4. Asked if DPRK VFM Kim Kye-gwan had met with VFM Wu Dawei since arriving in Beijing, Jiang said she had not received such information. Chinese heavy fuel assistance to the DPRK is under "active preparation and implementation," Jiang said, when asked the status of the heavy fuel shipments. Germany's "Gross Interference" Undermines Relationship -------------- -------------- ¶5. Chancellor Merkel, "disregarding China's solemn representation" on the matter, "insisted" on meeting the Dalai Lama, who has long engaged in activities aimed at splitting the Motherland, said Jiang when asked why China had recently canceled a breakfast meeting between the Chinese and German foreign ministers and also a bilateral rule of law dialogue. Jiang continued, the meeting was a "gross interference" in China's internal affairs, hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and undermined Chinese-German relations. She noted her understanding that the two sides' foreign ministers still have plans to meet, at which time FM Yang will expound upon China's "solemn position on the Dalai Lama issue." NDRC Vice Chairman to Attend Climate Change Meeting -------------- -------------- ¶6. NDRC Vice Chairman Xie Zhenhua will attend a meeting to be held by President Bush on climate change this week, said Jiang, noting that FM Yang attended the UN high-level meeting on climate change in New York. Jiang stated China will promote international negotiations in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol and expressed hope that the international community will continue to promote the UNFCCC as the main framework for climate change and other agreements will promote pragmatic cooperation and serve as helpful supplements for the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. China will continue to follow the Protocol and Convention as well as the principle of common BEIJING 00006294 002 OF 002 but differentiated responsibilities. Continued Cooperation with Russia -------------- ¶7. China has taken note of the new Government appointed by President Putin in Russia, Jiang told reporters. She said China stands ready to press ahead with mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields between the two nations. Randt