JANUARY 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL VISIT, SENIOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000107

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SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY CH TW XY XW ZU XI RM SZ MI IN KN
KS, RS, JA
SUBJECT: JANUARY 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL VISIT, SENIOR
DIALOGUE, AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT, ADMIRAL KEATING VISIT, TAIWAN,
OLYMPICS

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1. Key points at the January 10 MFA Press Briefing:

-- The MFA announced that EAP A/S Hill was to meet with VFM Wu Dawei
that afternoon in Beijing and stated that, regarding the Six-Party
Talks, Second-Phase Actions are "moving along smoothly."

-- The Fifth U.S.-China Senior Dialogue will take place January
17-18, led by Deputy Secretary Negroponte and VFM Dai Bingguo.

-- The spokesman had not heard of a possible new EU "mechanism" for
African development but said that China is "open" to cooperation
with countries and organizations that have a "sincere" interest in
African development.

-- The spokesperson confirmed that PACOM Commander Admiral Keating
will visit China January 13-16, traveling to Beijing, Shanghai and
Guangzhou.

A/S Hill in Beijing, Six-Party Talks
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2. At the January 10 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Jiang
Yu told reporters that EAP A/S Hill would meet with VFM Wu Dawei
that afternoon. Regarding the Six-Party Talks, Jiang said that the
Second-Phase Actions are "moving along smoothly" and that all
parties have shown "political will, sound commitment and
coordination."

Senior Dialogue Announced, January 17-18
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3. Jiang announced that the Fifth U.S.-China Senior Dialogue will
take place January 17-18, led by Deputy Secretary Negroponte and VFM
Dai Bingguo. The two sides will hold an "in-depth exchange of views
on major international and regional issues of mutual interest," she
added.

African Development
--------------


4. In response to a reporter's question, Jiang said she had not
heard of a possible new EU "mechanism" for African development, but
that China is "open" to cooperation with countries and organizations
that have a "sincere" interest in African development. She added
that China and the EU both have experienced long-term friendship and
cooperation with Africa, and both strive for peace, stability and
sustainable development in the region.

Malawi, Marshall Islands to Recognize PRC?
--------------


5. China is willing to develop friendly relations with any country
on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the
one-China principle, Jiang said when asked about the possibility of
Malawi and the Marshall Islands establishing formal diplomatic ties
with the PRC.

Japanese Company Recalls Globes over Taiwan Name?
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6. The spokesperson did not have any specifics regarding a
reporter's question about a recall of globes made by a Japanese
company in China depicting Taiwan as part of the People's Republic
of China. Jiang nevertheless stated that the international
community "universally recognizes" the one-China principle and that
companies operating in China "must abide by Chinese laws and
regulations."

Swiss Equestrian Team Withdrawal, ROK Explosion, Iran
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7. Jiang referred questions about the Swiss equestrian team's
withdrawal from the 2008 Olympic Games because of concerns over the
climate in Hong Kong to the "relevant authorities." She had no new
information on the 12 Chinese citizens reportedly killed in the
January 7 explosion in the ROK. Jiang appeared to misunderstand a
question regarding U.S. claims that Iran has been using banks as
channels for financing terrorism, responding that the nuclear issue
should be solved through dialogue and negotiation.

Admiral Keating Visit
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8. The spokesperson confirmed that PACOM Commander Admiral Keating
will visit China January 13-16, traveling to Beijing, Shanghai and
Guangzhou. In response to a reporter's question, Jiang said that

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China has stated "many times" its position on U.S. Navy port visits
to Hong Kong. Jiang referred other questions on Admiral Keating's
visit to China's Ministry of Defense.

RANDT