DECEMBER 6 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 007383 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH SUBJECT: DECEMBER 6 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE (NIE) ON IRAN, UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE, CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS, AFRICA INVESTMENT, DALAI LAMA ¶1. Key points at the December 6 MFA Press Briefing: -- China believes the date for the next round of Six- Party Talks must be reached by consensus. -- China will "earnestly study" the NIE on Iran with relevant parties so as to push forward the proper settlement of the issue. -- On climate change, China believes countries should not break away from the framework established by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. -- The PRC is willing to work together with Japan to keep and push forward the good momentum of improvement and development of bilateral relations. -- China welcomes some Western countries' recent remarks indicating that they intend to strengthen their input in Africa. -- The PRC views the Dalai Lama as a "splittist" intent on separating the Motherland. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. Responding to questions regarding Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill's visit to Beijing and the SIPDIS future of the Six-Party talks, Qin confirmed that A/S Hill met with Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei on the morning of December 6 and exchanged views on the current situation and the next stage of work for the Six-Party Talks process. VFM Wu took note of A/S Hill's recount of his visit to the DPRK and his relevant remarks. China hopes that the six parties will maintain cooperation and consultation in order to maintain a good momentum, so as to push forward the relevant work on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as scheduled. ¶3. Another reporter commented that A/S Hill had said he did not know why the Six-Party Talks had been delayed and asked whether the PRC knew the reason for the delay. Qin responded that the six parties are conducting consultations on the exact date for the next Heads of Delegation meeting. He added that the next meeting was not up to the will of any one party, but would be a consensus reached by the six parties. The relevant parties should "cherish and maintain" the good momentum so as to implement the consensus reached in a all-around and balanced way in order to realiz the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. National Intelligence Estimate on Iran: PRC Response -------------- -------------- ¶4. On China's response to the recently-released U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran, Qin said that he had addressed the issue during the December 4 regular press briefing and did not wish to complicate the matter. He said China is willing to work together with other parties to strengthen communications and consultations for a peaceful settlement to the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations. ¶5. China's position on the Iranian nuclear issue is that China supports the international nuclear non- proliferation regime, opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons and upholds a peaceful and stable Middle East, and, as a result, upholds a peaceful settlement of the issue through consultations. Any move taken by the UN Security Council on the Iranian nuclear issue should be conducive to realize these goals. China will adopt a positive and constructive attitude to take part in relevant discussions. As to the NIE, China will "earnestly study" the report and communications with relevant parties so as to push forward the proper settlement of the issue. PRC Views on the UN Climate Change Conference -------------- ¶6. Responding to a question regarding China's views of the Climate Change conference in Bali and the proposals put forth by Canada, Japan and the United States, Qin said that the Chinese delegation is taking a constructive and positive view in its attendance at the conference. The relevant parties have exchanged BEIJING 00007383 002 OF 003 views on how to handle climate change, especially on goals for emissions reductions after 2012. China believes under current circumstances, countries should not break away from the framework established by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, and should not abandon the common but differentiated responsibilities that are principles in those agreements. ¶7. Nations should make due efforts to combat climate change based on their different development levels, national conditions and capabilities, Qin continued. In particular, developed countries should take the lead in emissions reductions and provide more capital and technological support to developing countries so as to help them raise their capability to handle climate change. Developing countries should take an active part in the process, based on their own development levels. For its part, China will make its due effort to strengthen international cooperation based on its own conditions and strategic development strategies. China will hold an open attitude to any move or proposal that is conducive to promoting the principles put forth in the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol as well as the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. China-Japan Relations -------------- ¶8. Asked why President Hu Jintao did not raise any "sensitive" issues in bilateral relations with Japan during the recent China-Japan Senior Economic Dialogue, but instead stated his hope that Japan would express opposition to Taiwanese referendum on UN membership, Qin said the Chinese government is willing to work together with Japan to keep and push forward the good momentum of improvement and development of bilateral relations. The most important issue is to follow the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, to take into consideration each other's concerns and to properly settle major issues including historical issues and the Taiwan issue so as to consolidate a foundation for political relations. Therefore, the opposition to Taiwan separatist activities, including the referendum on UN membership will be conducive to consolidating the political foundation of bilateral relations and the sound and rapid development of bilateral relations. ¶9. Asked about China-Japan relations in the face of the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, Qin said that while developing bilateral relations with Japan, China "has taken history as a mirror and looks into the future." To remember lessons from history is to cherish the precious hard-won momentum of improvement and development so as to create a better future. As such, China always follows this guidance to educate the Chinese people to view bilateral relations with Japan from an objective prospective. China hopes that Japan will follow this spirit and make its due efforts to push forward the development of bilateral relations. PRC Welcomes More Investment in Africa -------------- ¶10. The Chinese government highly values Africa and its solidarity and cooperation with Africa, which is based on mutual respect and benefit and is conducive to the peace, stability and common development of Africa and the world at large. It is not targeted at any other third parties. China has taken note of and welcomes some Western countries' recent remarks indicating that they intend to strengthen their input in Africa. China and other countries share common interests in Africa, and as such, China is willing to strengthen dialogue, cooperation and exchanges with those countries. If countries increase their input in Africa just because of China that is a good thing, if the whole international community could work together to make contributions for poverty alleviation and stable development and the benefit of the African people China would be happy to see that. Dalai Lama Visits Italy -------------- ¶11. Responding to an inquiry regarding the Dalai Lama's trip to Italy, Qin said that the Dalai Lama is BEIJING 00007383 003 OF 003 not a purely religious figure, but is a political exile engaged in activities intended to split China. His issues are not ones of culture or religion, but of China's territorial integrity and the separation or "anti-separation" of the Motherland. No matter how or where the Dalai Lama conducts his activities, it is not in an individual or religious capacity. Rather, he represents separatist forces aimed at splitting China and advocating Tibetan independence. Qin said China hopes that relevant countries will be clearly aware of these attempts at separatism and not provide venues or support for these activities. ¶12. In a follow-on question the reporter asked for examples of the Dalai Lama's "splittist" activities. Qin suggested that the reporter review the Dalai Lama's activities, deeds and words since fleeing China. He has never given up his attempts to separate China and is still actively engaged in separatist activities. Qin said these words and deeds are very common and believes that there are many cases to which the reporter could refer. Qin added that the Dalai Lama continues to maintain an exile government. RANDT