DECEMBER 20 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PRODUCT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 007577

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MARR EIND CH BM IN KS KN
VM, JP, BL
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 20 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PRODUCT
SAFETY, SIX-PARTY-TALKS, ROK ELECTION, BURMA, INDIA,
DISPUTED ISLANDS


1. Key points at the December 20 MFA Press Briefing:

-- On U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama's
reported call for a ban on U.S. imports of Chinese
toys, China believes that a few defective products
should not be the grounds for an overall ban.

-- China believes all sides will continue work within
the framework of the Six-Party process regardless of
political changes in South Korea.

-- VFM Wu Dawei has observed that disablement at the
North Korean nuclear facility in Yongbyon is
"proceeding smoothly" and China stresses the
importance of the principle of "action-for-action."

-- China has "indisputable sovereignty" over the
disputed islands and adjacent waterways of the South
China Sea.

-- Chinese-Indian joint anti-terror military exercises
are being held from December 19-27.

-- China is ready to strengthen cooperation on Burma
with the EU and other parties and encourages ASEAN to
play a larger role.

Product Safety
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2. Asked about U.S. Presidential candidate Barack
Obama's reported call for a ban on U.S. imports of all
Chinese toys, MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang said that the
Chinese government attaches great importance to
product safety, has introduced changes to its laws and
regulations and has strengthened enforcement and
industry supervision. In general, Qin said, Chinese
products are reliable and safe, and if problems are
found with a few products this should not be grounds
for an overall ban. He added that, especially during
the Christmas season, Chinese products can bring
"happiness and joy" to American consumers.

Six-Party-Talks and South Korean Election
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3. Qin expressed China's congratulations to ROK
President-elect Lee Myung-bak, adding that China is
ready to work with the new government to promote the
development of the "comprehensive cooperative
partnership" between China and the ROK. China
believes the DPRK and ROK will continue to work within
the framework of the Six-Party process regardless of
the change of government in South Korea. Qin said
that China seeks peace, stability, development and
good neighborly relations with North Korea, and also
seeks to maintain its partnership with the ROK. China,
he stressed, adheres to its principle of non-
interference in the internal affairs of other
countries and hopes that dialogue will improve
relations between North and South Korea.

VFM Wu Dawei Sees "Smooth" Progress on Disablement
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4. Qin reported that Vice Foreign Minister (VFM) Wu
Dawei visited the DPRK December 17-19, where he met
with the North Korean Foreign Minister and inspected
disablement activities at the nuclear reactor at
Yongbyon. Qin noted that during the visit the DPRK
expressed willingness to fulfill "earnestly" its
obligations under agreements reached in the Six-Party-
Talks, including disablement. Qin said that
disablement is "proceeding smoothly" and stressed the
importance of the principle of "action-for-action" for
a "balanced" completion of the disablement process.


5. Asked about progress on obtaining a declaration on
North Korea's nuclear program, Qin said that such a
declaration is called for in joint statements by the
six parties, but requires further discussion by "the
parties concerned." He expressed China's hope that
all parties will "fulfill their respective roles" as
described in the joint statements and said that the
PRC continues close consultations with the six parties.
He added that China remains prepared to honor its own
commitments and continues to support the Six-Party
process.

Incorporation of Disputed Islands into "Sansha City"

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6. Asked about China's recent decision to incorporate
the Spratly, Paracel and other South China Sea Islands
into a new city called "Sansha," Qin asserted that
China has "indisputable sovereignty" and effective
jurisdiction over the islands of the South China Sea
"and the adjacent waterways." Qin acknowledged
Vietnam's disputing of the Chinese claim on the
islands and pledged that China would continue
consultations with Vietnam to avoid affecting
relations with Vietnam and stability in the region.

Chinese-Indian Military Exercises
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7. Chinese-Indian joint anti-terror military
exercises are being held from December 19-27, Qin said.
The exercises aim at increasing the mutual trust and
understanding between the two countries and their
militaries. When pressed on the border dispute
between the two countries, Qin said India and China
share many common interests. He acknowledged some
differences exist, but said this is "normal" and that
even close allies such as the Unites States and Japan
do not agree on every issue. Qin said that the two
sides seek to resolve the boundary issue at "an early
date." Qin also said that China and India are capable
of resolving the issue themselves and have established
the political guiding principles for a solution.
Until the boundary issue is resolved, Qin said that
China would maintain peace and stability in the
disputed area and prevent the issue from becoming an
obstacle to bilateral relations.

Burma
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8. Asked how China perceives its role in Burma, Qin
said that stability there is not only a concern of
Burma, but also China, because of the two countries'
common border. He stressed that China hopes for
stability, democratization and reconciliation.
However, he said, the people of Burma themselves will
solve the issues in Burma through dialogue and
consultation. China will respect the sovereignty of
Burma and continue to play a constructive role in the
resolution of the issues there. Qin said that China
supports the efforts of UN Special Envoy Ibrahim
Gambari as well as a larger role for ASEAN. Qin added
that China is also ready to strengthen cooperation
with other parties, including the EU, to play a
constructive and positive role in Burma.

Visits
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9. China and Japan are currently making arrangements
for the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda
and will announce the details soon. Bolivian Foreign
Minister David Choquehuanca will call on Chinese Prime
Minister Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
during his visit this week. Consultations are
currently underway for a visit from British Prime
Minister Gordon Brown, though a date has not yet been
announced.

RANDT