MAY 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 002086 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY CH JA KN KS NP IN SUBJECT: MAY 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, EARTHQUAKE RELIEF, MILITARY ALLIANCES, ETC. ¶1. Key points at the regular May 29 MFA press briefing: -- Current bilateral negotiations within the framework of the Six-Party Talks will help build mutual trust and understanding. Dates have not yet been set for the next round of the Six-Party Talks, nor for the submission of North Korea's nuclear declaration. The upcoming Beijing Olympics will not hinder China's participation in the Six-Party Talks. -- China is grateful to all countries that provided support for relief efforts in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake. The delivery of materials by planes from the Japanese Self Defense Forces is still being discussed. -- China is pleased by the successful opening of the recent Constitutional Assembly in Nepal, but will adhere to the principle of nonintervention and respect decisions of the Nepalese people. -- The U.S.-ROK military alliance is left over from history, as is the U.S.-Japanese military alliance. China is in favor of a "new security concept" in which countries seek to build peace within the framework of the United Nations and in keeping with international norms. The Sino-DPRK treaty of mutual assistance, however, is a means of building friendly relations between the two nations. -- Allegations that Chinese citizens are involved in espionage are groundless and stem from ulterior motives. -- China has taken note of actress Sharon Stone's comments that the Sichuan earthquake was caused by "bad karma" owing to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. China has also taken note of her subsequent apology. -- VISITS: Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee will visit China June 4-7. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is currently visiting China, and will travel to Qingdao today and to Sichuan tomorrow, accompanied by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. At the regularly-scheduled MFA press briefing May 29, MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang said that the Six-Party negotiators began holding bilateral talks yesterday in Beijing, and the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister met with his American, North Korean and Japanese counterparts. He will meet his South Korean counterpart tomorrow. No date has yet been set for the next round of the Six-Party Talks. Qin expressed hope that this round of bilateral negotiations will help to build mutual understanding and speed the second-phase of the agreement. He said that all countries involved in the Six-Party Talks have worked hard to realize the goal of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. A date for the submission of North Korea's nuclear declaration has not yet been set, he said. China does not plan to stop work on the Six-Party Talks because of the Olympics. Asked if U.S. Presidential Elections or a change in administration would stop the Six-Party Talks, Qin said that the question should not be directed to him. However, he expressed hope that progress can be made if all countries involved continue to work towards denuclearization. Japanese Military for Relief Delivery -------------- ¶3. Asked about military planes from the Japanese Self-Defense Force being used to deliver aid to Sichuan earthquake victims, Qin said that China is grateful for the many countries that have offered material, financial and spiritual support. Some countries have used military planes to speed the delivery of urgently needed goods and some militaries have provided tents and blankets. When asked for clarification as to whether Japan has or will provide aid via military planes, the spokesperson said that China welcomes aid from all countries, but that aid provided via the military must be "further discussed" through the relevant countries' Departments of Defense. Japan's contribution is pending such further discussion. When asked why the Chinese media were not covering the story, Qin said that what the Chinese media cover is up to the Chinese media. Regarding the use of planes from the Japanese Self Defense Force, Qin said that the means of receiving aid would depend on the needs of the recipient country. Asked if opposition to the use of Japanese military planes by Chinese Internet users BEIJING 00002086 002 OF 003 indicated that China is not welcoming of Japanese aid, Qin reiterated that China is thankful to the people and governments who have offered aid, sympathy and support, including Japan. Nepal's Constitutional Assembly -------------- ¶4. Asked about the recent opening of Nepal's Constitutional Assembly, the spokesperson said that China is glad to see the successful opening of the Assembly. As a friend and neighbor, China hopes for progress but will adhere to the policy of noninterference and will respect the Nepalese people's choices regarding development methods and political systems. No More "Cold War Mentality" -------------- ¶5. At the last regular press conference on May 27, Qin said that the U.S.-ROK military alliance represented a "cold war mentality." Asked a follow-up question regarding the China-DPRK military alliance, Qin noted that his statements had drawn attention from the Korean press. Qin said that China is in favor of a "new security concept," and that relevant countries must work to build cooperation and trust. The U.S.-ROK arrangement is a "special historical alliance." Countries should seek to make arrangements within the framework of the United Nations and international norms to support peace. Qin said that the Sino-DPRK treaty of mutual assistance was a means of promoting friendly relations between the two countries, and that in the past few years the treaty had been helpful to this goal. He noted that China wants friendly relations with both the DPRK and the ROK, and is in favor of peace and stability in the region. When asked if his remarks "remain logical" when considering the U.S.-Japanese military alliance, Qin said that this arrangement is also "left over from history." Qin expressed hope that the arrangement be favorable for regional stability and the building of mutual trust. Espionage Allegations Groundless -------------- ¶6. Asked for comment on the Chinese citizen who recently pleaded guilty to espionage charges in the United States, Qin said that any such allegations of espionage are groundless and stem from ulterior motives. Sharon Stone's Comments -------------- ¶7. China has taken note of actress Sharon Stone's remarks that the earthquake was a result of "bad karma" caused by Chinese occupation of Tibet. Qin further noted that Ms. Stone has apologized for her remarks. Qin expressed hope that the Chinese Government and people's relief efforts can be fully understood by the international community, and that as an actress Ms. Stone can use her position to contribute to mutual trust and understanding between China and the United States. Premier Wen on Facebook? -------------- ¶8. Asked for comment on Premier Wen Jiabao's page on the social networking website Facebook, and the more than 13,000 people who have "friended" him, the Spokesperson said that he had not heard of Facebook. However, he speculated that the webpage in question had perhaps been created in response to China's earthquake relief efforts, and expressed hope that the international community will see the unified efforts of the Chinese people and have a better understanding of China. Other Topics: Tibet Visit for Journalists, Rumors -------------- -------------- ¶9. Asked if foreign journalists would be given permission to visit Tibet to cover the Olympic Torch Relay, the spokesperson said he would convey the request to BOCOG. Regarding rumors that an unnamed Chinese leader had told the South Korean press that Kim Jong-il had been assassinated, Qin said that he had not heard of it and could not confirm it. He urged the journalists present to use the press conference for "more serious matters." ¶10. VISITORS: Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee will visit China June 4-7. During the visit, Mukherjee's first to BEIJING 00002086 003 OF 003 China since taking office, he will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other Chinese leaders, and will visit both Beijing and Guangzhou to oversee the opening of the Indian Consulate General there. During the visit, both sides will discuss the implementation of the consensus on developing strategic cooperation, and exchange views on bilateral relations. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is currently visiting China and will travel to Qingdao today before moving on to Sichuan province tomorrow. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will accompany President Lee to Sichuan. PICCUTA