FEBRUARY 1 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: US-DPRK FINANCIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000772 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CH SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 1 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: US-DPRK FINANCIAL TALKS, SIX-PARTY TALKS, HUMAN RIGHTS, ORGAN HAVERSTING, CHINESE CITIZEN CASUALTIES IN IRAQ, KIM JONG IL'S SON ¶1. Key points made at the February 1 MFA press conference were: -- Despite comments from VFM Wu that the Fifth Round of Six-Party Talks would last 3-4 days, the MFA gave no timetable and had no substantive comments on the recent financial talks between the United States and the DPRK. -- The MFA gave no comment on calls to include the issue of religious freedom in any strategic dialogue with the United States and dismissed allegations of torture of a Tibetan boy as a legal matter. -- In response to criticism, the MFA Spokesperson defended China's cautious use of the death penalty and reiterated the strict policy on organ transplants. -- China is carrying out gradual financial reforms despite pressure from Treasury Secretary Paulson. -- China calls on the United States to repatriate Uighurs held at Guantanamo and reaffirms its commitments to international anti-terrorists efforts. -- Amid deaths of Chinese citizens fighting in Iraq with the United States military, the MFA says China is concerned about the welfare of all overseas citizens. -- Japan calls for an explanation to increased Chinese production in the East China Sea; China claims the territory, but has no conflict with Japan. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Jiang Yu said at the February 1 regular press briefing that the duration of the Third Phase of the Fifth Round of Six-Party Talks would depend on the progress made during negotiations, despite reported comments from Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei that the Talks would likely last three to four days. Jiang had no news regarding this week's financial talks between the United States and the DPRK, nor on what role the issue would play in the upcoming phase of Six-Party Talks. Kim Jong Il, Jr. Sighting -------------- ¶3. Jiang had not heard about reports that Kim Jong Il's eldest son is living in Macau and Beijing while traveling on a Portuguese passport. Human Rights: Religion, Organ Harvesting, Executions -------------- -------------- ¶4. Jiang denounced as "groundless attacks" claims by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom that religious freedom in China is deteriorating. He declined to comment on a suggestion that the topic of religious freedom should be included in the "strategic dialogue" between the United States and China. Asked for comment on the case of a 15-year-old Tibetan boy who was allegedly beaten and tortured in custody after trying to escape to Nepal, Jiang cited a "large-scale illegal border-crossing case" in which suspects would be tried in accordance with the law. Parents of children involved have been informed to retrieve them. Jiang said China's policy towards the Vatican remains unchanged, when asked for comment on Hong Kong Cardinal Zen's reported hopes that China will arrange a meeting with the Pope as Vietnam has done. ¶5. Responding to reports that a conference of human rights groups in Paris would soon issue a statement calling for transparency in China's practice of the capital punishment, the spokesperson defended China's use of the death penalty. She said that releant information is openly reported by the head of the Supreme People's Court to the People's Congress. Jiang noted that half of the world's countries still employ capital punishment. Asked to comment on the report of a former Canadian diplomat on the practice of organ harvesting in China, Jiang maintained that China has a very strict policy on organ transplants, which requires the consent of all victims. Monetary Reform -------------- ¶6. Responding to Treasury Secretary Paulson's comments that the international community was running out of patience with China's monetary reform, Jiang said that at the beginning of BEIJING 00000772 002 OF 002 2005 China began using a market managed floating exchange mechanism and will proceed with reforms in an active, controllable and gradual way. Media Labels Space "Strategic Area" -------------- ¶7. Questioned about reports in the Chinese media labeling "space" as a "strategic area," the negative impact of space debris left from China's January anti-satellite test and calls for more detailed explanations from Japan, the United States and others, Jiang replied that China has a purely defensive military strategy which threatens no other country. Its position on the anti-satellite test has already been expressed clearly, China upholds the peaceful exploration of space, opposes the weaponization of space and will not participate in a space arms race. Calls to Repatriate Uighurs -------------- ¶8. Jiang called for the United States to work with China through the bilateral relationship and relevant international laws to repatriate thirteen Uighurs currently held at Guantanamo Bay, adding that the international community should hold a firm and consistent attitude toward terrorism, which is a threat to all. Chinese Citizens Die in Iraq -------------- ¶9. Asked to comment on the recent death and possible future deaths of Chinese citizens fighting for the United States military in Iraq, Jiang said China is concerned about the welfare of its citizens abroad, counsels them to be alert and takes every effort to ensure their safety, but Jiang had no specifics on the case. East China Sea, Japan Visits -------------- ¶10. Commenting on Japan's demand for an explanation to increased Chinese production from Chunxiao natural gas field in the East China Sea, Jiang said that the field is in China's continental shelf zone and China has no conflict with Japan. Jiang would give no dates for the next round of East China Sea negotiations or FM Li and PM Wen's upcoming visits to Japan. Attacks in Africa -------------- ¶11. A Xinhua News reporter asked Jiang to comment on the recent death of a Chinese worker in Kenya and attempts to rescue nine Chinese workers kidnapped in Nigeria. Jiang replied that armed robbers attacked a road construction project killing one Chinese worker and injuring another. China has activated its emergency response and is working with Kenyan authorities who have set up a special group to investigate the attack and increase protection of Chinese citizens in the region. Jiang added that China is trying its best to rescue the workers kidnapped in Nigeria. EU Pressure on Darfur -------------- ¶12. When asked China's attitude towards Darfur in response to recent pressure from the European Union for President Hu to discuss the Darfur issue with Sudanese leaders, Jiang said China's position has not changed. China follows the Darfur issue very closely and is maintaining dialogue with all relevant parties. China hopes the issue is solved through political negotiation and is pleased by recent progress. Repatriation of Fugitive in Canada -------------- ¶13. Asked again for comment on China's demands that Canada repatriate Gao Shan, a Bank of China clerk from Northeast China who reportedly stole US$129 million and fled to Canada in 2005, Jiang voiced hopes that an international convention on anti-corruption would serve as a basis for positive cooperation on this issue. RANDT