JUNE 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Security Dialogue, Tibet,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002179 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY PTER PHUM KS ZI KN MG SA YM QA SUBJECT: JUNE 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Security Dialogue, Tibet, Darfur, Tiananmen, North Korea ¶1. Key points at the June 5 MFA press briefing were: -- The Security Dialogue held in Beijing was pragmatic and conducive to the development of security relations. -- Tibet is stabilizing "gradually." -- China has taken note of Australian Prime Minister Rudd's proposal for an Asia Pacific Union. China would support any proposal which enhances trust and cooperation in the region. -- China's efforts to reach a "proper solution" in Darfur are "not less than any other country." -- Regarding Tiananmen prisoners, the spokesman said the United States should stop its "erroneous practice" of interfering in China's internal affairs. -- Vice President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea from June 17-19. Security Dialogue -------------- ¶2. At the June 5, 2008 regular MFA press briefing, MFA Spokesman Qin Gang said the fourth U.S.-China "Strategic Security Multilateral and Nonproliferation Consultation" focused on the international security situation, security relations between China and the United States and arms control and disarmament. Both sides felt the consultations were pragmatic and conducive to the development of bilateral security relations. Qin said Under Secretary Rood agreed with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi that the talks were conducive to relations and should continue. China hopes Iran will implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions and enhance its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Qin said China supports a political solution that maintains the authority of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and peace and stability of the region. Tibet Gradually Stabilizing -------------- ¶3. Asked when journalists can expect to see evidence of the Dalai Lama's involvement in the March 14 Lhasa unrest, Qin said China already released information proving the "Dalai clique" incited the riots and attacks against Chinese Embassies in foreign countries. The Dalai Lama should stop his splitist activities and stop undermining the Beijing Olympics. The date for the next round of talks between representatives of the Dalai Lama and China is under consultation. Qin noted that relevant authorities in China are preoccupied by disaster relief and said China hopes the Dalai Lama will "create conditions for contact through concrete actions." Asked when journalists would be allowed into Tibetan areas, including Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan, Qin said foreign journalists would be allowed into these areas when social stability is further restored. Pressed repeatedly on why Tibet has not yet been stabilized, Qin said China was fully capable of restoring stability and the process is a "gradual" one. To suggest otherwise is to "look down on the Chinese Government and people." Qin did not have any information on reports of arrests in Lhasa over a bomb plot. Prime Minister Rudd's Asia Pacific Union -------------- ¶4. Qin said China has "taken note" of Australian Prime Minister Rudd's proposal for an Asia Pacific Union. China will support "any proposal" which seeks to enhance exchanges, political trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to promote common development in the Asia Pacific region. Darfur and Zimbabwe -------------- ¶5. Responding to a question regarding "high-level U.S. officials'" comments on China's role in Darfur, Qin said China has always supported a "proper solution" to the Darfur issue based on dialogue and consultation. China has made efforts to this end, including sending engineering teams to the region. In promoting a proper solution, China's efforts are "not less than any other country." Qin said the tri-party coordination mechanism should be pushed forward to promote a "proper solution of the issue," political dialogue and deployment of peacekeepers. ¶6. Regarding Zimbabwe, Qin said China upholds the principle of noninterference in other countrys affairs. China is confident in the ability f the Zimbabwean people and government to resole their own issues. Tiananmen Prisoners BEIJING 00002179 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶7. Asked to respond to U.S. demands that China release the remaining Tiananmen prisoners, Qin said the political turmoil of the late 1980s has "concluded." In the past 20 years, China has enjoyed economic development, social stability and the development of democracy. The Chinese people enjoy fundamental human rights "in accordance with law." Qin said "year after year, the United States makes groundless accusations against China, seriously violating the basic norms of international relations and grossly interfering in China's internal affairs." China expresses "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to the U.S. statements, and demands that the United States stop this "erroneous practice" that obstructs the development of bilateral relations. Xi Jinping to travel to DPRK and Middle East -------------- ¶8. The spokesman confirmed that Vice President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea June 17-19. VP Xi will also visit Mongolia June 19, Saudi Arabia June 21-23, Qatar June 23-24 and Yemen June 24-25. The specifics of Xi's visit to North Korea are still under discussion, but he is expected to meet with North Korean leaders and discuss regional issues, bilateral relations and the denuclearization of the peninsula. Qin confirmed that this is Xi's first trip abroad as Vice President. Other Visits -------------- ¶9. Vice Premier Wang Qishan will be in the United States June 17-18 for the fourth Strategic Economic Dialogue. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit China June 13-15. FM Yang Jiechi will travel to Japan on June 14 for meetings with the foreign ministers of the ROK and Japan. The agenda for the meeting has not been decided, although the Six-Party Talks would likely be discussed, Qin noted. Other -------------- ¶10. The spokesperson did not have any information about a meeting between FM Yang Jiechi and Indian FM Pranab Mukherjee. Qin also had no information about the search for a missing rescue helicopter which crashed during earthquake relief operations. PICCUTA