Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING6844
2007-10-25 10:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
OCTOBER 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GAMBARI VISIT, J-10
how-toVZCZCXRO9018 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #6844/01 2981023 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251023Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3067 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0352 RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 0716 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0147 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 6620 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0157 RUEHSK/AMEMBASSY MINSK PRIORITY 0081 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 1139 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1872
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 006844
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH BM IR RS JA SU TU IZ PK
IS, SN, IN, UZ, TX, BO
SUBJECT: OCTOBER 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GAMBARI VISIT, J-10
FIGHTER SALES, DALAI LAMA, CHINESE OIL FIELD IN SUDAN UNDER
SIEGE, PEACEFUL USE OF OUTER SPACE, UPCOMING SCO PRIME
MINISTERS' MEETING
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 006844
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH BM IR RS JA SU TU IZ PK
IS, SN, IN, UZ, TX, BO
SUBJECT: OCTOBER 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GAMBARI VISIT, J-10
FIGHTER SALES, DALAI LAMA, CHINESE OIL FIELD IN SUDAN UNDER
SIEGE, PEACEFUL USE OF OUTER SPACE, UPCOMING SCO PRIME
MINISTERS' MEETING
1. Key points at the October 25 MFA Press Briefing:
-- UN Special Envoy Gambari met with Assistant Foreign
Minister He Yafei, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on October 24-25.
-- China has taken note of the "untrue and groundless"
reports in the Russian media that China sold J-10 fighter
planes to Iran.
-- China will not meet with the Dalai Lama because his desire
to attain Tibetan independence has never ceased. China hopes
the Dalai Lama can match his words with deeds and take a
correct position on the issue of Tibetan independence.
-- China has noted reports that a Chinese oil field in Sudan
has been surrounded by rebels and hopes that the relevant
parties in Sudan take appropriate measures to ensure the
lives and property of Chinese in Sudan.
-- China views outer space as the commonwealth of all
humanity and believes it must be used peacefully for the
benefit of all humankind.
-- Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the Sixth Prime Ministers'
Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and make
official visits to Turkmenistan, Belorussia and Russia
November 2-6.
UN Special Envoy Meets Three PRC Leaders
--------------
2. At the October 25 regular MFA press briefing, MFA
Spokesman Liu Jianchao confirmed that UN Burma Special Envoy
Ibrahim Gambari met Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He
Yafei, Vice Foreign Minister (VFM) Wang Yi and State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan October 24-25. Liu said AFM He told
Gambari that China closely follows the situation in Burma and
China calls upon concerned parties to exercise restraint and
to handle the issues properly to promote democracy and
development. AFM He also told Gambari that Burma has a
complicated history and the situation there needs to be
resolved by the government and the people. The international
community should remain fair and objective and do more to
promote dialogue. AFM He also told Gambari that China
supports the mediation efforts of the UN Secretary General
and Gambari. VFM Wang Yi told Gambari that China hopes the
relevant parties properly handle the issues and devote
themselves to peace and stability for Burma. Gambari told
VFM Wang and AFM He details of his other meetings in Asia and
expressed his appreciation for China's support of the
mediation efforts. Liu said he did not have any information
on Gambari's meeting with State Councilor Tang.
3. Asked why Gambari had not met with higher-level officials,
Liu said the form of the consultations did not matter as much
as the content. He said China attaches great importance to
the mediation efforts of Secretary General Ban and Gambari.
He said the three key PRC officials held in-depth, candid
discussions with Gambari during his visit and China believes
the talks will be helpful for the mediation efforts. (See
also remarks on Burma and Singapore in paragraph 14 below.)
Reports of J-10 Fighter Sales to Iran False
--------------
4. Liu said China had noted reports in the Russian media that
China had sold J-10 fighter planes to Iran. Liu said these
reports were untrue and China has not sold or discussed
selling J-10 fighters with Iran. China hopes the Russian
media will correct this report and report the truth.
No Details on Possibly Detained Tibetan Monks
--------------
5. Liu said he had not heard of accusations that Tibetan
monks who had celebrated the awarding of the Congressional
Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama had been detained. Liu referred
reporters to the relevant Public Security authorities.
BEIJING 00006844 002 OF 003
Timing for PRC Meetings with the Dalai Lama?
--------------
6. Asked when the PRC would be willing to meet with the Dalai
Lama, given that the Dalai Lama has publicly stated that he
does not support Tibetan independence and that Deng Xiaoping
had once stated that the PRC would meet with him if he
abandoned the cause, Liu said China focuses on the
"principle" of the situation while the reporter was focusing
on the "details." Liu said the "separatist activist" Dalai
Lama's desire for Tibetan independence has never stopped.
China hopes the Dalai Lama can match his words with deeds and
take a correct position on the issue of Tibetan independence.
Threat Against Chinese Oil Field in Sudan
--------------
7. Liu said China had noted reports that a Chinese oil field
in Sudan had been surrounded by reels and hopes that the
relevant parties in Sudan take appropriate measures to ensure
the livs and property of Chinese in Sudan. He added that,
as far as he knew, Chinese in Sudan were currently safe.
No Action on Turkey/PKK Issue
--------------
8. China is closely following the situation between Turkey
and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and hopes the relevant
parties can resolve the issue through dialogue and
consultation. China hopes the region can remain stable and
peaceful, Liu said.
External Pressure on Human Rights Efforts Won't Work
-------------- --------------
9. Responding to a question stating that some in the United
States were using the upcoming Olympic Games to push for
improvements in China's human rights record, Liu said China
does not need external pressure on the human rights issue and
that external pressure will not produce any results. He said
China protects and develops the human rights of its citizens
at all times and will continue to do so.
UN Death Penalty Ban
--------------
10. Responding to a question regarding an effort by the UN to
ban the death penalty, Liu said he had described China's
position on the death penalty many times and added that China
has adopted an "extremely prudent" attitude and has taken
very serious measures over the past two years. He said that
different countries have different national conditions that
dictate the specific measures they take on the death penalty.
Peaceful Use of Outer Space
--------------
11. Liu said China views outer space as the commonwealth of
all humanity and believes it must be used peacefully for the
benefit of all humankind. He said that China believes the
October 24 launch of the Chang-E 1 lunar orbiter represents
an important step for the international community. Liu said
he would research an answer regarding China's participation
in the UN agreement on the peaceful use of the moon.
Reaction to the Suicide Bombing in Pakistan
--------------
12. China strongly condemns the recent suicide bombing in
Pakistan and sincerely hopes Pakistan can maintain peace and
stability, which serves the fundamental interests of the
Pakistani people, Liu said. He added that China will
continue to develop a strategic partnership with Pakistan.
Visits
--------------
13. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with FM Yang
on October 24, Liu said. He said that the two mainly
discussed bilateral issues and that he did not know if they
BEIJING 00006844 003 OF 003
had discussed the Six-Party Talks. Liu emphasized, however,
that China has kept in close communication and consultation
with the other five parties to the Talks. The strategic
partnership between China and Russia is doing well, Liu said.
The two sides enjoy strong mutual trust and fruitfully
cooperate in various fields. China hopes concentrated
efforts will yield more positive results in fields such as
culture and economics. The partnership has entered a new
stage over the past year, Liu said, and China hopes to work
with its Russian counterparts to press ahead with bilateral
relations.
14. Liu confirmed that Singaporean Foreign Minister George
Yeo would begin a visit to China on October 26. He said Yeo
would meet with FM Yang and the two will discuss bilateral
relations and the Burma issue. Liu said China attaches great
importance to ASEAN's role on the Burma issue. China hopes
the two sides will reach consensus and play a constructive
role in helping Burma realize stability, democracy and
development.
15. Head of the Indian Congress Party Sonia Gandhi is
currently in China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP),Liu said. She will meet with government and CCP
leaders. China attaches great importance to the visit and
hopes it increases understanding between the two parties and
the two peoples.
16. Liu announced that Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipora Livni
would visit China October 28-30. Liu said Livni would hold
talks with FM Yang Jiechi on bilateral relations and regional
issues of common interest.
17. Liu said that Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the Sixth
Prime Minister's Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization and make official visits to Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, Belarus and Russia November 2-6. In Russia he
will attend the Twelfth Sino-Russian Prime Ministers regular
meeting and the closing ceremony of the Year of China in
Russia.
Randt
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH BM IR RS JA SU TU IZ PK
IS, SN, IN, UZ, TX, BO
SUBJECT: OCTOBER 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GAMBARI VISIT, J-10
FIGHTER SALES, DALAI LAMA, CHINESE OIL FIELD IN SUDAN UNDER
SIEGE, PEACEFUL USE OF OUTER SPACE, UPCOMING SCO PRIME
MINISTERS' MEETING
1. Key points at the October 25 MFA Press Briefing:
-- UN Special Envoy Gambari met with Assistant Foreign
Minister He Yafei, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on October 24-25.
-- China has taken note of the "untrue and groundless"
reports in the Russian media that China sold J-10 fighter
planes to Iran.
-- China will not meet with the Dalai Lama because his desire
to attain Tibetan independence has never ceased. China hopes
the Dalai Lama can match his words with deeds and take a
correct position on the issue of Tibetan independence.
-- China has noted reports that a Chinese oil field in Sudan
has been surrounded by rebels and hopes that the relevant
parties in Sudan take appropriate measures to ensure the
lives and property of Chinese in Sudan.
-- China views outer space as the commonwealth of all
humanity and believes it must be used peacefully for the
benefit of all humankind.
-- Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the Sixth Prime Ministers'
Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and make
official visits to Turkmenistan, Belorussia and Russia
November 2-6.
UN Special Envoy Meets Three PRC Leaders
--------------
2. At the October 25 regular MFA press briefing, MFA
Spokesman Liu Jianchao confirmed that UN Burma Special Envoy
Ibrahim Gambari met Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He
Yafei, Vice Foreign Minister (VFM) Wang Yi and State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan October 24-25. Liu said AFM He told
Gambari that China closely follows the situation in Burma and
China calls upon concerned parties to exercise restraint and
to handle the issues properly to promote democracy and
development. AFM He also told Gambari that Burma has a
complicated history and the situation there needs to be
resolved by the government and the people. The international
community should remain fair and objective and do more to
promote dialogue. AFM He also told Gambari that China
supports the mediation efforts of the UN Secretary General
and Gambari. VFM Wang Yi told Gambari that China hopes the
relevant parties properly handle the issues and devote
themselves to peace and stability for Burma. Gambari told
VFM Wang and AFM He details of his other meetings in Asia and
expressed his appreciation for China's support of the
mediation efforts. Liu said he did not have any information
on Gambari's meeting with State Councilor Tang.
3. Asked why Gambari had not met with higher-level officials,
Liu said the form of the consultations did not matter as much
as the content. He said China attaches great importance to
the mediation efforts of Secretary General Ban and Gambari.
He said the three key PRC officials held in-depth, candid
discussions with Gambari during his visit and China believes
the talks will be helpful for the mediation efforts. (See
also remarks on Burma and Singapore in paragraph 14 below.)
Reports of J-10 Fighter Sales to Iran False
--------------
4. Liu said China had noted reports in the Russian media that
China had sold J-10 fighter planes to Iran. Liu said these
reports were untrue and China has not sold or discussed
selling J-10 fighters with Iran. China hopes the Russian
media will correct this report and report the truth.
No Details on Possibly Detained Tibetan Monks
--------------
5. Liu said he had not heard of accusations that Tibetan
monks who had celebrated the awarding of the Congressional
Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama had been detained. Liu referred
reporters to the relevant Public Security authorities.
BEIJING 00006844 002 OF 003
Timing for PRC Meetings with the Dalai Lama?
--------------
6. Asked when the PRC would be willing to meet with the Dalai
Lama, given that the Dalai Lama has publicly stated that he
does not support Tibetan independence and that Deng Xiaoping
had once stated that the PRC would meet with him if he
abandoned the cause, Liu said China focuses on the
"principle" of the situation while the reporter was focusing
on the "details." Liu said the "separatist activist" Dalai
Lama's desire for Tibetan independence has never stopped.
China hopes the Dalai Lama can match his words with deeds and
take a correct position on the issue of Tibetan independence.
Threat Against Chinese Oil Field in Sudan
--------------
7. Liu said China had noted reports that a Chinese oil field
in Sudan had been surrounded by reels and hopes that the
relevant parties in Sudan take appropriate measures to ensure
the livs and property of Chinese in Sudan. He added that,
as far as he knew, Chinese in Sudan were currently safe.
No Action on Turkey/PKK Issue
--------------
8. China is closely following the situation between Turkey
and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and hopes the relevant
parties can resolve the issue through dialogue and
consultation. China hopes the region can remain stable and
peaceful, Liu said.
External Pressure on Human Rights Efforts Won't Work
-------------- --------------
9. Responding to a question stating that some in the United
States were using the upcoming Olympic Games to push for
improvements in China's human rights record, Liu said China
does not need external pressure on the human rights issue and
that external pressure will not produce any results. He said
China protects and develops the human rights of its citizens
at all times and will continue to do so.
UN Death Penalty Ban
--------------
10. Responding to a question regarding an effort by the UN to
ban the death penalty, Liu said he had described China's
position on the death penalty many times and added that China
has adopted an "extremely prudent" attitude and has taken
very serious measures over the past two years. He said that
different countries have different national conditions that
dictate the specific measures they take on the death penalty.
Peaceful Use of Outer Space
--------------
11. Liu said China views outer space as the commonwealth of
all humanity and believes it must be used peacefully for the
benefit of all humankind. He said that China believes the
October 24 launch of the Chang-E 1 lunar orbiter represents
an important step for the international community. Liu said
he would research an answer regarding China's participation
in the UN agreement on the peaceful use of the moon.
Reaction to the Suicide Bombing in Pakistan
--------------
12. China strongly condemns the recent suicide bombing in
Pakistan and sincerely hopes Pakistan can maintain peace and
stability, which serves the fundamental interests of the
Pakistani people, Liu said. He added that China will
continue to develop a strategic partnership with Pakistan.
Visits
--------------
13. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with FM Yang
on October 24, Liu said. He said that the two mainly
discussed bilateral issues and that he did not know if they
BEIJING 00006844 003 OF 003
had discussed the Six-Party Talks. Liu emphasized, however,
that China has kept in close communication and consultation
with the other five parties to the Talks. The strategic
partnership between China and Russia is doing well, Liu said.
The two sides enjoy strong mutual trust and fruitfully
cooperate in various fields. China hopes concentrated
efforts will yield more positive results in fields such as
culture and economics. The partnership has entered a new
stage over the past year, Liu said, and China hopes to work
with its Russian counterparts to press ahead with bilateral
relations.
14. Liu confirmed that Singaporean Foreign Minister George
Yeo would begin a visit to China on October 26. He said Yeo
would meet with FM Yang and the two will discuss bilateral
relations and the Burma issue. Liu said China attaches great
importance to ASEAN's role on the Burma issue. China hopes
the two sides will reach consensus and play a constructive
role in helping Burma realize stability, democracy and
development.
15. Head of the Indian Congress Party Sonia Gandhi is
currently in China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP),Liu said. She will meet with government and CCP
leaders. China attaches great importance to the visit and
hopes it increases understanding between the two parties and
the two peoples.
16. Liu announced that Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipora Livni
would visit China October 28-30. Liu said Livni would hold
talks with FM Yang Jiechi on bilateral relations and regional
issues of common interest.
17. Liu said that Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the Sixth
Prime Minister's Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization and make official visits to Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, Belarus and Russia November 2-6. In Russia he
will attend the Twelfth Sino-Russian Prime Ministers regular
meeting and the closing ceremony of the Year of China in
Russia.
Randt