JUNE 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: EAST CHINA SEA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002415 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY ENRG PHUM KS KN SA JP CH SUBJECT: JUNE 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: EAST CHINA SEA AGREEMENT, XI JINPING IN DPRK, SED, FOREIGN JOURNALISTS IN TIBET ¶1. Key points at the June 19 MFA press briefing were: -- Vice Foreign Miniter Wu Dawei briefed journalists on the East hina Sea agreement. The agreement does not undermine China's sovereignty claims over the East China Sea, nor does it recognize a median line. China and Japan will work to make a "sea of peace" and will jointly develop a block in the East China Sea. -- Japan will cooperate in the Chunxiao gas field in accordance with Chinese laws. -- Vice President Xi Jinping discussed Six-Party Talks and the nuclear issue with DPRK leaders during his visit to North Korea. -- The Strategic Economic Dialogue concluded with "good results." -- The "relevant authorities" organized the selection of foreign journalists permitted to cover the Olympic torch relay in Lhasa. East China Sea Agreement -------------- ¶2. At the June 19, 2008 regular MFA press briefing, Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei briefed journalists on the East China Sea agreement between China and Japan. Wu noted three major items in the June 18 agreement: First, China and Japan will work together to make the East China Sea a "sea of peace, cooperation and friendship"; second, without prejudicing their respective legal positions, China and Japan will select a block to conduct joint development in the East China Sea; and third, Chinese enterprises welcome the participation of Japanese "legal persons" in the development of the Chunxiao gas field, in accordance with Chinese law. Chinese laws regulate China's cooperation with foreign enterprises in the exploration and exploitation of oil resources. Wu stated that there are two important premises to the agreement. First, the agreement does not undermine China's sovereign rights over the East China Sea. China "has never recognized a median line" and there "has never been a so-called median line between Japan and China in the East China Sea." Second, the Japanese side will cooperate in the Chunxiao gas field in accordance with Chinese laws and recognizes that China holds the sovereign rights over Chunxiao oil and gas field. ¶3. Regarding the East China Sea continental shelf, Wu noted that both countries have their "respective positions." China believes in the principle of national extension, while Japan upholds the notion of the median line. Such a difference, Wu stated, cannot be resolved in a short period of time and would "impact the overall interests of China-Japan relations." The East China Sea common understanding is an interim arrangement, while the "delineation" of the East China Sea will continue to be worked out. Improved China-Japan relations, said Wu, are good for the two countries, their peoples, East Asia and the entire world. ¶4. Asked about the Chinese definition of "joint development" as it relates to the Chunxiao gas field, Wu stated that the agreement is a temporary arrangement to shelve differences on sovereignty and sovereign rights. Chunxiao will not be jointly developed, because exploration in Chunxiao must be in accordance with Chinese law and sovereign rights belong to China. In joint development cases, the two governments will take the lead, whereas in Chunxiao, enterprises will take the lead and governments will only "give some guidance," said Wu. ¶5. Asked why China and Japan decided to shelve their differences at this particular time, Wu responded that the two sides did not "choose" this time. Since 2006, the China-Japan bilateral relationship has continuously improved and established a "mutual benefit relationship." Although some issues, like the Diaoyu Islands are a historical holdover, the two countries should "seek to resolve these historical issues, but not rush to a resolution." Proper settlement of sensitive issues like these is important to the bilateral relationship. Xi Jinping DPRK Visit -------------- ¶6. MFA Spokesman Jiang Yu, who briefed on all issues other than the East China Sea agreement, said that during Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea, he met with relevant DPRK leaders and discussed multiple issues, including Six-Party Talks and the nuclear issue. China hopes BEIJING 00002415 002 OF 002 that the "relevant parties can meet halfway" to make joint efforts work on these difficult issues. When asked about talks on China-DPRK bilateral relations, Jiang said that the information had already been released in a comprehensive manner. Strategic Economic Dialogue -------------- ¶7. Asked about the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED),Jiang said that the SED had concluded with "good results." China expanded cooperation with the United States with the 10-year cooperation framework document in energy and environmental protection. In the future, China and the United States will "translate these documents into reality and promote moving forward in terms of economic and energy cooperation." Vice President Xi will attend the June 22 international energy meeting in Jeddah. China hopes this meeting will enhance dialogue and coordinate the global response to high oil prices. ¶8. Asked to comment on whether it is reasonable to cite increased oil demand in China as a factor in the dramatic increase in global oil prices, Jiang stated that China is both a big consumer and producer of energy. Jiang noted, however, that China relies on domestic sources of energy for more than 90 percent of its energy consumption. Anti-Japanese Protest -------------- ¶9. Asked about the small anti-Japanese protest that took place in front of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on June 18, Jiang said she was unaware of the protest. Regarding the Diaoyu Islands, Jiang stated that China has "reiterated its position on many occasions." Torch Relay in Tibet -------------- ¶10. Asked how foreign journalists were chosen to cover the Tibetan leg of the Olympic torch relay, Jiang stated that the "relevant authorities" had organized the selection of foreign news agencies from various countries. If some foreign journalists were not selected, China hopes they understand. Jiang referred questions regarding the number of journalists permitted to cover the torch relay in Lhasa tothe Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympc Games (BOCOG). Amnesty International Repor -------------- ¶11. Asked tocomment on the Amnesty International report reeased today, claiming that more than 1,000 Tibetans remain unaccounted for since the March riots in Tibet, Jiang replied that she had not read the report. She added that it is well-known that Amnesty International "holds a prejudice against China." Jiang said China is a country which follows the rule of law and deals with relevant cases in accordance with the law. Jiang referred further questions on this to the relevant authorities. Visits -------------- ¶12. Japanese destroyer Sazanami will visit Zhanjiang, a navy port in Guangdong province, from June 24-28. PICCUTA