Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING1600
2008-04-24 11:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

APRIL 24 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: ZIMBABWE ARMS SHIPMENT,

Tags:  PREL PGOV KOLY CH FR KN JA SY PA XG ZI 
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OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #1600/01 1151105
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 241105Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6872
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001600 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY CH FR KN JA SY PA XG ZI
SUBJECT: APRIL 24 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: ZIMBABWE ARMS SHIPMENT,
SYRIA-DPRK NUCLEAR ISSUE, CHINESE VISAS, DALAI LAMA, TORCH RELAY,
CHINESE NETIZENS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001600

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY CH FR KN JA SY PA XG ZI
SUBJECT: APRIL 24 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: ZIMBABWE ARMS SHIPMENT,
SYRIA-DPRK NUCLEAR ISSUE, CHINESE VISAS, DALAI LAMA, TORCH RELAY,
CHINESE NETIZENS


1. Key points at the April 24 MFA press briefing were:

-- A Chinese cargo ship will return to China with arms intended for
Zimbabwe.

-- An EU resolution critical of China's involvement in Africa is
"irresponsible" and "groundless."

-- The Syria-DPRK nuclear issue should not affect the Six-Party
Talks.

-- China has begun requiring foreigners to submit "necessary
materials" with visa applications but will continue to issue
multiple entry visas to eligible applicants.

-- The door to dialogue is open to the Dalai Lama if he gives up
separatist and disruptive activities.

-- The Olympic torch relay was completed successfully in Canberra.

-- Suits against CNN are spontaneous activities by Chinese
civilians; the Chinese Government is waiting for a reply from CNN to
its recent demands for an apology.



Zimbabwe Weapons; EU Resolution on Africa
--------------


2. At the April 24 regular MFA press briefing, MFA Spokesperson
Jiang Yu said the Chinese ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe will
return without delivering its cargo. China's conventional weapons
trade policy is consistent with Chinese law, UN Security Council
resolutions and international obligations. China has been
responsible and cautious and has a strict management system for
weapons exports, said Jiang. People should not politicize the
issue. Jiang said "some in the United States are always critical,
posing themselves as the world's policemen" but these people are
"not popular." Attempts to disrupt China-Africa relations will not
be successful, said Jiang.


3. Jiang called the European Parliament's resolution on China's
relations with oppressive African nations "irresponsible." The
resolution "ignored the facts" and made groundless accusations."
Jiang said she requets that theEU stop "such activities which
create conflicts." The African people support China's relations
with the continent. China respects African social systems and does

not impose its values on African countries. China follows the
principle of "mutual benefit" with regard to trade with Africa and
does not export weapons to countries under UN sanctions. Asked
whether the issue would be discussed during EU President Jose Manuel
Barroso's visit to China, Jiang said China hopes the EU will take an
"objective view" and contribute to the development of China-EU
relations instead of "imposing personal values" on other people.

DPRK-Syria Reactor Issue
--------------


4. Jiang said the issue of North Korea's alleged assistance to
Syria's nuclear program was an issue for "these two countries" to
resolve. The issue should not affect the Six-Party Talks. Jiang
said she had no information about whether the United States provided
China intelligence on the Syria-DPRK relationship and directed such
questions to the United States. The DPRK and the United States
reached an important consensus recently and China hopes "their
consultation" will be "fruitful and make progress." China also
hopes relevant parties will continue to promote the Six-Party Talks
and denuclearization.

Visa Policy/Attack of an American Citizen
--------------


5. China's visa rules are consistent with "China's laws and past
experience," Jiang said, noting that China has begun requiring
foreigners to submit "some necessary materials" with their
applications. Eligible applicants will continue to receive multiple
entry visas. China's visa system is more convenient than many other
countries, said Jiang, and recommended that foreigners apply early.


6. Asked about reports of violence towards an American citizen in
Hunan, Jiang said China always protects foreigners' lives and
legitimate rights and interests in China. China does not agree with
"some radical remarks," though she did not specify to which remarks
she was referring.

Door for Dialogue with Dalai Lama Open
-------------- -


7. Jiang said she has no information as to whether President Hu
Jintao received a letter from the Dalai Lama requesting that the
Dalai Lama's representatives be allowed into Tibet. China considers

BEIJING 00001600 002 OF 002


the Tibet issue an internal one and objects to outside interference.
If the Dalai Lama stops all separatist and disruptive activities,
the door for dialogue is "definitely open."

Torch Relay
--------------


8. Jiang said the torch relay in Australia was completed
successfully and that cooperation from Canberra had been
"effective." She questioned the intentions of a questioner who
asked whether the Chinese Embassy assisted in bringing Chinese
supporters to the torch relay in Canberra, saying that if those who
wished to disrupt the event had the right to be there, then Chinese
supporters did too. Jiang said the people of Nagano, Japan should
feel honored that their city was chosen to receive the Olympic
flame. The exact arrangements for the event in Nagano have not been
finalized but China is confident the Japanese police will protect
the flame.

Lawsuits Against CNN
--------------


9. Efforts to sue CNN for comments deemed offensive to China are
"spontaneous activities" by Chinese civilians, Jiang said. The
Chinese Government has elaborated its position to CNN and "looks
forward to their response." Jiang refused to comment on calls by
netizens for a rally in Tiananmen, but said all netizen remarks must
be made in the framework of the law and she hopes they can express
themselves in a "rational and legal manner." Asked whether angry
comments online are damaging China's image, Jiang encouraged
journalists to look at the provocative and insulting comments made
against the Chinese people by others.

Raffarin Visit
--------------


10. China attaches great importance to the visit of former French
Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and considers him an "old friend
of China." Jiang noted that some "FARSIghted" people in France have
recently made efforts to improve relations with China.

Diplomatic Relations with Paraguay, Heparin
--------------


11. Asked whether China will establish diplomatic relations with
Paraguay, Jiang said China would like to establish relations with
all countries on the basis of the one China policy. Jiang had no
information about the FDA's review of Chinese made Heparin.

RANDT