OCTOBER 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006899

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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.


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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