JANUARY 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MALAWI, TAIWAN, OLYMPICS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000150 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY PHUM CH TW NL KS KN MI FJ IN FR SP, KE, UK SUBJECT: JANUARY 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MALAWI, TAIWAN, OLYMPICS, ACTIVIST HU JIA, ASSISTANCE TO TAIWAN SHIP, INDIAN PM VISIT ¶1. Key points at the January 15 MFA Press Briefing: -- China and Malawi on December 28 after "friendly consultations and negotiations" established diplomatic relations. -- Some organizations with "ulterior political motives" use the Olympics to "tarnish China's image" and "exert pressure" on the Government. -- The Beijing Public Security Bureau is investigating activist Hu Jia "in accordance with the law" for "suspected offenses." -- In "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century" published yesterday, China and India agreed to enhance bilateral civilian nuclear cooperation while honoring and respecting international commitments. -- Visits: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will make an official visit to China January 18-20, Vietnam FM Pham Gia Khiem will visit January 22-26, and Pak Geun Hye, special envoy to ROK President-elect Lee Myung-bak, will arrive in Beijing January 16. China and Malawi Establish Diplomatic Ties -------------- ¶2. At the January 15 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Jiang Yu told reporters that China and Malawi decided on December 28 through friendly consultations and negotiations to establish diplomatic relations at the Ambassador level. The two countries share the common task of economic development and common views on many international issues, said Jiang. She added that the one-China principle is the consensus of the international community based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. She said China is ready to establish and develop friendly relations with other nations. Jiang ignored a reporter's question as to why China waited more than two weeks to announce the agreement. ¶3. Asked for the MFA's view on Chen Shui-bian's encouragement to nations recognizing Taiwan's sovereignty to open "commercial offices" in mainland China, Jiang stated that the one-China principle is the important, basic principle in dealing with questions related to Taiwan and that "relevant" countries must follow this principle. Human Rights and the Olympics -------------- ¶4. Jiang said some organizations with "ulterior political motives" use the Olympics to "tarnish China's image" and "exert pressure" on the Government, when asked about the Dutch Government's involvement in organizing a discussion of human rights and the Olympics Games. Such attempts to politicize the Olympics are "against the Olympic spirit and doomed to failure," she added. "No country in the world is perfect," and no country can make "irresponsible remarks" on the human rights conditions of other countries. Since reform and opening, China has made great progress in human rights development, development to which the Chinese Government is "devoted," stated Jiang. Hu Jia Investigated for "Suspected Offenses" -------------- ¶5. Activist Hu Jia is being investigated "in accordance with the law" by the Beijing Public Security Bureau for "suspected offenses" and the relevant department will handle the case accordingly, stated Jiang when asked for comment on United States concern over Hu's arrest. PRC Assists Crew of Taiwan Ship -------------- ¶6. The crew members of a Taiwan ship that "encountered danger" near Fiji are now safe and in good condition in Fiji, said the spokesperson. The MFA launched an "emergency response mechanism" to assist the ship and the PRC Embassy in Fiji worked to coordinate rescue work, said Jiang. India and China Enhance Civilian Nuclear Cooperation -------------- -------------- BEIJING 00000150 002 OF 002 ¶7. In "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century" published yesterday, China and India agreed to enhance bilateral civilian nuclear cooperation while honoring and respecting international commitments, stated Jiang. China applauds PM Singh's view, expressed during his visit, that "the world is big enough" to allow India and China's simultaneous development. ROK Fire, African Democracy, Mao Ads, Six-Party Talks -------------- -------------- ¶8. Responding to reporters' questions, Jiang confirmed that the families of the Chinese victims in the January 7 Republic of Korea (ROK) fire have been notified, eighty relatives of the deceased and injured are currently in the ROK and the compensation process is underway. Reports of China's protesting of Citroen's use of Mao Zedong's image in advertisements run in Spain are not an issue of diplomatic affairs, said Jiang, deflecting the question. "Views of the media are views of the media," stated Jiang when asked about a People's Daily article pointing to disorder in Kenya as proof that Western-style democracy does not work in Africa. The spokesperson had no information on when the Six-Party Talks will restart. Visits: UK PM Brown, Vietnam FM Pham, ROK Envoy -------------- -- ¶9. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will make an official visit to China January 18-20. Chinese-UK relations enjoy good momentum and increased exchanges and mutual trust, said Jiang, noting that the bilateral trade volume between the two nations is expected to total USD 40 billion for 2007. China hopes the two countries can develop a long-term strategic partnership. ¶10. Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem will visit January 22-26 to co-chair the Second Meeting of the Guiding Committee for China-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation at the invitation of State Counselor Tang Jiaxuan. Pak Geun Hye, special envoy to ROK President-elect Lee Myung-bak, will arrive in Beijing January 16. China attaches great importance to Pak's visit and specific arrangements are still under discussion, said Jiang. RANDT