DECEMBER 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 007473 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV JA KN KS SA IT FM SG FR LE IS SY, GR, MK SUBJECT: DECEMBER 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, CHINESE CITIZENS IN SUDAN, DALAI LAMA IN ITALY, NANJING MASSACRE, GREECE-MACEDONIA TALKS, MORE BEIJING 00007473 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Key points at the regular December 13 MFA press briefing: -- VFM Wu Dawei and ROK Ambassador Chun Yung-woo met this morning to discuss the Six-Party Talks and the "next stage of work." -- China hopes the Sudan Government can take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Sudan. -- China opposes any country which in any form "supports or sympathizes" with the Dalai Lama's activities aimed at splitting the motherland. -- Visits: Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun Bigan will attend a December 17 international donors' conference in Paris before visiting Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Syria, President Mori of Micronesia will visit China December 16-22 and Senegal State Minister of Foreign Affairs Gadio will visit December 18-22. Six-Party Talks, Wu-Chun Meeting -------------- ¶2. At the December 13 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin Gang confirmed that VFM Wu Dawei and ROK Ambassador Chun Yung-woo met this morning to discuss the Six-Party Talks and the "next stage of work." Asked about the meeting on economic and energy aid to the DPRK, Qin referred reporters to the ROK side, as the ROK chaired the meeting. Qin warned that the Six-Party Talks process will encounter difficulties along the way, but expressed optimism on the positive efforts of all parties and continuous progress made. Asked about VFM Wu Dawei's upcoming trip to the DPRK, the spokesman replied that the details were still under discussion. Sudan Government Must Ensure Chinese Citizens' Safety -------------- -------------- ¶3. China hopes the Sudan Government can take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Sudan, said Qin in response to a question regarding a recent attack on a Chinese-run oil field by Sudanese rebels. Chinese companies play an active role in improving the lives of the Sudanese, Qin stated. Therefore, he added, threats to the safety and welfare of Chinese people in Sudan are unacceptable. Qin noted that the MFA released a statement yesterday on the incident. Dalai Lama Visits Italy -------------- ¶4. China opposes any country which in any form "supports or sympathizes" with the Dalai Lama's activities, said Qin when asked about the Dalai Lama's current visit to Italy. The Dalai Lama is not a purely religious figure, but rather a political figure engaged in activities aimed at "splitting the motherland." 70th Anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre -------------- ¶5. China commemorates today, the seventieth anniversary of the "Nanjing Massacre," for the benefit of history, said the spokesman when a reporter raised the topic. Qin promoted "taking history as a mirror for the benefit of the future" as China-Japan relations continue to develop on a positive track, so that the two countries can enjoy "friendship from generation to generation." Greece-Macedonia Talks -------------- ¶6. China hopes Greece and Macedonia can handle their name dispute through consultations in a way that is conducive to long-term peace in the Balkan region, said Qin in response to a Xinhua Agency reporter's question. China accepts any agreement reached by Greece and Macedonia. Chinese Students Brawl in Canada? BEIJING 00007473 002.4 OF 002 -------------- ¶7. The spokesman has not heard reports of fighting between Chinese and Canadian students in Canada referred to by a Phoenix TV reporter. Qin stated that China always requires Chinese abroad to abide by local laws and customs and likewise requires other countries to guarantee the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens. Visits: Middle East Envoy, Micronesia, Senegal -------------- - ¶8. Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun Bigan will attend a December 17 international donors' conference in Paris aimed at raising funds to support the Palestinian Authority, before visiting Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Syria. President Mori of Micronesia will visit China December 16-22 as will Senegal State Minister of Foreign Affairs Gadio December 18-22. RANDT