JANUARY 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SENIOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000217 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH TW GM IR UK SUBJECT: JANUARY 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SENIOR DIALOGUE, ISRAELPALESTINE PEACE PROCESS, IRAN, DPRK REFUGEES, MYANMAR ¶1. Key points at the January 22 MFA Press Briefing: -- At the Senior Dialogue last week, Vice Foreign Minister Dai and Deputy Secretary Negroponte exchanged ideas on the international situation and how to ensure the long-term stable development of bilateral relations and cooperation on regional and international issues. -- China always supports the Middle East peace process and hopes Palestine and Israel will take this opportunity to have serious negotiations over the status of Palestine. -- China hopes for a "comprehensive and proper" solution to the Iran nuclear issue achieved through strictly diplomatic means. -- China considers DPRK citizens that have crossed into China to be motivated by financial gain and are thus illegal migrants. -- Germany highly values its relations with China and supports the one China policy and does not support Tibetan or Taiwanese independence. -- The PRC encourages the international community to be objective in their dealings with Myanmar and feels sanctions would not be helpful. -- Promoting "comprehensive cooperation" with Pakistan continues to be the PRC's established policy and China is working to further deepen that strategic partnership. Senior Dialogue -------------- ¶2. On January 17-18, Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Deputy Secretary Negroponte exchanged ideas on the international situation and how to ensure the long- term stable development of bilateral relations and cooperation on regional and international issues. This is the fifth Senior Dialogue and has become an important platform for strategic communications between China and the United States, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu said. The two leaders agreed that in 2008, they will implement the "major consensuses" from their discussions. Whether the title "Strategic Dialogue" or "Senior Dialogue" is used is not relevant, all that is important is the continued commitment to coordinate international affairs and properly handle sensitive issues. Israel and Palestine -------------- ¶3. In response to a press query if China was considering taking a more active role in the Israel- Palestine peace process, Jiang said China hopes the "relevant nations" will take measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. China always supports the Middle East peace process and hopes Palestine and Israel will take this opportunity to have serious negotiations over the status of Palestine. The PRC hopes Palestine and Israel will adhere to the Roadmap and UN resolution of land-for-peace and achieve peaceful coexistence. Iran Nuclear Issue -------------- ¶4. The P5 + 1 Foreign Ministers will meet today in Germany to formulate a strategy to solve the Iran nuclear issue. China hopes for a "comprehensive and proper" solution achieved through strictly diplomatic means. When asked if the PRC has plans to propose a P5 + 2 mechanism which brings Iran directly into the negotiations, Jiang said she had no information regarding such a proposal. When pressed for details on the PRC's position going into today's P5 + 1 negotiations, the spokesperson said Foreign Minister Yang will expound on China's principles and position and that journalists should pay attention to his remarks. When asked if the PRC will support an additional sanction on Iran over the nuclear issue, Jiang replied, "I have already told you China's position on this matter. " BEIJING 00000217 002 OF 002 ¶5. Saeed Jalili, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, visited China last week and met with several Chinese leaders. The spokesperson did not elaborate on the details of these meetings, but merely reiterated the PRC commitment to a diplomatic settlement of the issue and called for an early resumption of talks with Iran. DPRK Refugees in China -------------- ¶6. The PRC position regarding DPRK migrants remains consistent and clear: China considers DPRK citizens that have crossed into China to be motivated by financial gain and are thus illegal migrants. China will deal with them in accordance with international and domestic law as well as humanitarian principles. Sino-German Relations -------------- ¶7. In response to a question about China's relationship with Germany, Jiang said that the two countries have made many efforts in the past four months to overcome difficulties in the relationship. Jiang noted that Germany highly values its relations with China and supports the one China policy and does not support Tibetan or Taiwanese independence. Jiang expressed hope that Germany would continue to work with China on the principle of mutual respect, equality and noninterference. Myanmar -------------- ¶8. When asked about Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint's meeting with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxun on January 21, Jiang Yu confirmed that the special envoy had delivered a briefing on the situation in that country to Tang. Jiang also stated that China and Myanmar will continue their cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit. China supports the continued stability, democratization and development of Myanmar. Jiang encouraged the international community to be objective in their dealings with Myanmar and said that sanctions are not helpful. China also supports the UN Secretary General and his envoy and hopes that an early date is set for the latter's visit to the country. Pakistan or India? -------------- ¶9. When asked if Prime Minister Singh's recent visit to China indicated a change in PRC policy towards Pakistan, Jiang responded that China and India are two significant developing countries and their good relationship as neighbors is important to both. It is in everyone's interest for China and India to enhance their cooperation. Pakistan is China's strategic partner. To promote "comprehensive cooperation" with Pakistan continues to be the PRC's established policy and China is working to further deepen that strategic partnership. As a neighbor of both countries, China supports improved relations between Pakistan and India. RANDT