OCTOBER 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006899 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH LA KN KS KZ JA VE CA IR JO, SU SUBJECT: OCTOBER 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, IRAN SANCTIONS, DIAOYUTAI, DALAI LAMA, DARFUR ¶1. Key points at the October 30 MFA Press Briefing: -- China has expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" and opposition to Canada's hosting of the Dalai Lama. Canada should correct its actions to avoid further damage to bilateral ties. -- Japan's actions against Chinese activists near the Diaoyutai Islands violate international law and infringe upon China's sovereignty. -- Iran is willing to solve the nuclear issue through talks and any additional sanctions against Iran will "aggravate" the situation. -- The Six-Party Talks are making "steady" progress and China hopes all parties will move toward denuclearization and normalization. -- Criticism by British lawmakers of China's Sudan policy is irresponsible and ignores China's constructive role in Darfur. -- Chinese Politburo Member Liu Yunshan is visiting the DPRK, Vietnam and Laos to brief on the outcome of the 17th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. Arrival of A/S Hill, SixParty Talks -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Liu Jianchao confirmed EAP Assistant Secretary Hill's October 30 arrival in Beijing. The U.S. delegation will meet with Chinese Foreign Ministry officials to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Six-Party Talks. Chinese officials will also meet with North Korean delegation leader Kim Kye-gwan at an appropriate time. China believes progress in the Six-Party process is "steady" and hopes that all parties can proceed to implement relevant agreements and move toward denuclearization and normalization. Iran -------------- ¶3. In response to a question regarding Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's comments urging China to support sanctions against Iran, Liu said that a peaceful solution to the Iran issue isin the interest of the international communit. China hopes that the use of sanctions will "not be encouraged." Iran is seeking to solve the issue through talks and exerting sanctions will "aggravate" the situation, Liu said. King Abdullah Visiting China -------------- ¶4. Jordan's King Abdullah arrived in Beijing October 29 and held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao on October 30. The two leaders exchanged ideas on the ;Middle East peace process. China believes that there has been "some progress" in the Middle East and China is ready to make "joint efforts with relevant parties" to promote the peace process. Japan Action Against Diaoyutai Activists -------------- ¶5. Asked about reports of confrontations between Japanese patrol boats and a vessel carrying Chinese protestors near the Diaoyutai Islands, Liu stated that Diaoyutai and the surrounding islands have been inseparable parts of Chinese territory "since ancient times." Japan's action against the Diaoyutai activists violates international law and infringes upon China's sovereignty. Liu said he had no knowledge regarding reports that Japan detained the activists. BEIJING 00006899 002 OF 002 Dalai Lama Meeting With Canadian PM -------------- ¶6. Commenting on the October 29 meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Dalai Lama, Liu urged Canada to reflect upon and "correct erroneous practices" to avoid further damage to China- Canada relations. The Dalai Lama's actions over the last several decades show that he is a "splitist" who undermines national unity "under the disguise of religion." Canada's leaders insisted on hosting and meeting with the Dalai Lama despite the representations of the Chinese government. China has expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" and opposition to the Canadian side. Darfur -------------- ¶7. Liu criticized British parliamentarians as "irresponsible" for their condemnation of China's Sudan policy. One hundred members of the British Parliament signed a letter addressed to Chinese President Hu Jintao calling on China to halt arms sales to Sudan. Liu stated that China has played a "constructive" role in Darfur. Liu urged support for UN and African Union efforts and said all rebel groups should join in negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement. The accusations against China by U.K. lawmakers "disregard" the constructive role China has played. Party-to-Party Visits to DPRK, Vietnam, Laos -------------- ¶8. Chinese Politburo Member Liu Yunshan is visiting the DPRK, Vietnam and Laos at the invitation of those countries' respective ruling parties. During the visits, which will last from October 29 to November 3, Liu will brief his hosts on the outcome of the 17th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee -------------- ¶9. The next round of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee will take place November 7, Liu announced. Randt