Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING86
2007-01-04 12:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

JANUARY 4 MFA BRIEFING: IRANIAN ENVOY TO BEIJING,

Tags:  PREL CH 
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VZCZCXRO8794
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #0086/01 0041207
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041207Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3508
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000086 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CH
SUBJECT: JANUARY 4 MFA BRIEFING: IRANIAN ENVOY TO BEIJING,
SIX-PARTY TALKS, TAIWAN, CHEN SHUI-BIAN VISIT, ISLAND
DISPUTE, DEATH OF DPRK DIPLOMAT, DARFUR, PHILIPPINES
SUMMITS, VISITS OF OLMERT, THAKSIN, FRANCE'S ROYAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000086

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CH
SUBJECT: JANUARY 4 MFA BRIEFING: IRANIAN ENVOY TO BEIJING,
SIX-PARTY TALKS, TAIWAN, CHEN SHUI-BIAN VISIT, ISLAND
DISPUTE, DEATH OF DPRK DIPLOMAT, DARFUR, PHILIPPINES
SUMMITS, VISITS OF OLMERT, THAKSIN, FRANCE'S ROYAL


1. Key Points at the January 4 MFA Press Conference were:

-- Ali Larijani, special envoy to Iran President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, will visit China January 4-5 to discuss the
Iranian nuclear issue, bilateral relations and other issues
of common interest.

-- Although the MFA denies that the recent phase of Six-Party
Talks was a failure, the spokesman said that the principle
parties of the Talks must take more flexible and practical
attitudes.

-- China is gravely concerned about Japan-United States
security discussions regarding the Taiwan Straits and firmly
opposes any official exchange between the United States and
Taiwan authorities.

-- China holds that the erecting of territorial markers on
the Paracel and Spratly Islands is completely within China's
sovereignty.

-- FM Li Zhaoxing's successful visit to multiple African
nations this week is part of China's implementation of the
8-Point Proposal agreed on at the Forum for China-Africa
Cooperation held in Beijing in November.

-- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin is rumored to be
visiting China, Segolene Royal of France and Prime Minister
Olmert of Israel plan to visit China and both Premier Wen and
Foreign Minister Li will attend summit meetings in the
Philippines later this month.

Iran Envoy Carries Message to China
--------------


2. MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao announced in the regular
January 4 press briefing that Ali Larijani, special envoy to
Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, will visit China January
4-5. The two sides will discuss the Iranian nuclear issue,
the bilateral relationship and other issues of common
interest, Liu said. Liu declined to give specifics regarding
with whom Larijani would meet, saying only that the MFA will
provide the media with up to date information during the
visit.

China Denies Failure of Six-Party Talks
--------------


3. In response to a reporter's question on Japanese Foreign
Minister Taro Aso's comments that China failed to deliver
success in the second phase of the Fifth Round of the
Six-Party Talks as China previously promised, Liu said that
the principle parties must take more flexible and practical
attitudes. Liu said that China made assiduous efforts

recognized by the parties involved as well as the
international community as a whole and will continue to play
an active role. It is clear to all that the Talks were not a
failure and that important consensus was reached during the
talks.

Grave Concern over US-Japan Security Discussions, Chen
Shui-bian's Travel to US
-------------- ---


4. China has taken note of reports that Japan and the United
States will discuss formulating a joint plan to deal with a
possible crisis in the Taiwan Straits, Liu said, and regards
the matter with grave concern. Liu reiterated that Taiwan is
an inseparable part of Chinese territory and that
arrangements, discussions or consideration by Japan and the
United States regarding Taiwan should respect, adhere to and
honor the "one China principle." China's relations with both
the United States and Japan are currently improving so China
hopes that both countries will do more in respect to this
issue, said Liu.


5. Asked for comment on reports that Chen Shui-bian would
visit Nicaragua via the United States, Liu stated that China
firmly opposes any official exchange between Taiwan
authorities and the United States and that the relevant
parties are quite clear on China's consistent position. The
United States should have a clear understanding of the nature
of independence forces in Taiwan and honor its commitments to
the one China principle and the joint communiques in word and
in deed, Liu said. He added that the United States should
not send encouraging signals, should not provide a venue for
Chen Shui-bian in the United States and should firmly and
clearly oppose and confront Taiwan independence in the
interests of the peace and stability of Taiwan and the
overall state of China-United States relations.

BEIJING 00000086 002 OF 003



China Hopes Correct Measures Will Be Taken in Iraq
-------------- --------------


6. On the issues of an expected address by Bush on possible
troop increases in Iraq, Liu said that China hopes the
parties concerned will take the correct measures to restore
stability in Iraq and to give the Iraqi people a happy and
stable life.

Markers on Paracel and Spratly Islands
--------------


7. The Paracel and Spratly Islands and the adjacent waters
are within the indisputable sovereign territory of China,
said Liu when asked to comment on Vietnam's statement that
China's erecting of territorial markers on the islands
violates Vietnam's national sovereignty. Liu noted that
there is both historical and legal basis for China's claim,
namely the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Seas, China's
1992 Ordinance on Territorial Sea and Contiguous Areas and
China's 1996 Declaration on the Baselines of Territorial Sea.

China Sends Condolences to the DPRK
--------------


8. Asked for China's reaction to and details of the death of
DPRK diplomat Paek Nam-sun and what effect the event could
have on the Six-Party Talks, Liu said the DPRK has released
relevant information to the international media and that both
State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
have respectively sent their condolences. Liu stated that
China appreciates Paek's joint efforts to increase friendship
and cooperation between the two countries and that China is
still willing to work with others in the Six-Party Talks and
push forward with negotiations.

Darfur Peace-Keeping Forces
--------------


9. Asked about China's role and view toward its participation
in peace-keeping forces to be deployed in Darfur, Liu said
that China is happy to see the positive developments in the
Darfur issue over recent months and will continue to play a
constructive and positive role in working with the parties
concerned.

Hong Kong Journalist Reportedly Sent to Labor Camp
-------------- --------------


10. Asked for comment on reports that Hong Kong Journalist
Ching Cheong has been sent to an education-through-labor camp
after being tried on changes of espionage, Liu said that the
competent authorities have already released information
regarding this issue, which is not within the MFA's
jurisdiction. Liu added that Ching's sentence would be
handled in accordance with the law.

Debt Relief, FM Li's Visit to Equatorial Guinea
-------------- --


11. Liu declined to give specifics when responding to a
reporter's question on China's cancellation of Equatorial
Guinea's debt ahead of Foreign Minister Li's recent visit to
the African nation. China is currently implementing the
8-Point Proposal agreed on in the Forum for China-Africa
Cooperation held in Beijing in November, said Liu, adding
that FM Li's successful visit to Africa has resulted in
multiple agreements and specific projects. Liu did not have
details regarding debt relief.

Israel PM to Visit
--------------


12. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel will make an
official visit to China January 9-11 at the invitation of
Premier Wen Jiabao. As a major principle party to the Middle
East situation and a permanent member of the UN Security
Council, China's exchange of views with Israel will promote
and help the Middle East peace process. The 15th anniversary
of official state-to-state relations will also be celebrated
at a concert which PM Olmert and State Councilor Chen Zhili
will attend. Asked if China would invite the Prime Minister
of Palestine to visit China to promote the peace process, Liu
said such a visit could be arranged when the two sides deem
it necessary. In response to a reporter's suggestion that
China has ignored the Palestinian government in visits to the
Middle East, Liu said that China has supported the just cause
of the Palestinian people and has played a constructive role
in the Middle East peace process.

BEIJING 00000086 003 OF 003



Premier Wen and FM Li to Attend Philippines Summits
-------------- --------------


13. Liu announced that Premier Wen will travel to the
Philippines January 13-16 to attend the Second East Asia
Summit, Tenth China-ASEAN meeting, Tenth ASEAN-plus-Three
meeting and will chair the Seventh Northeast Asian Leaders
Trilateral Meeting, followed by an official state visit at
the invitation of President Arroyo. Foreign Minister Li will
attend the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, the
ASEAN-plus-Three Foreign Ministers Working Luncheon and the
East Asian Foreign Ministers Working Luncheon in the
Philippines. FM Li will also chair the full session of the
Northeast Asian Foreign Ministers Trilateral Meeting.

Segolene Royal of France to Visit China, Thaksin Visit Rumored
-------------- ---


14. French Presidential Candidate Segolene Royal of the
Socialist Party will visit China January 6-9 with a 15-member
delegation to discuss bilateral relations and other issues of
mutual interest. China hopes to further deepen relations
between France and all parties of France, including the
Socialist Party, and to push forward the development of
strategic relations between the two countries, Liu said.
Asked if former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra
was currently visiting China, Liu said that he did not know
any details of Thaksin's travel nor if he was in China,
although Liu did confirm that Thaksin has a valid visa.
SEDNEY