JULY 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Olympics Politicization,

UNCLAS BEIJING 002631 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY CH MX SUBJECT: JULY 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Olympics Politicization, Mongolian Unrest, G-8. ¶1. Key points at the July 3 MFA Press Briefing: -- All attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs by politicizing the Olympics are doomed to failure. The spokesperson refused to comment further on the specific case of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's attendance at the Opening Ceremonies. -- As a friendly neighboring country, China hopes for stability in Mongolia. -- All attending nations agree on the agenda of the G-8 summit. The agenda is not political in nature. -- The spokesperson had no information on the meeting between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government, was not aware of the specific case of Jude Shao, and had no information on the Six-Party Talks. -- VISITS: Mexican President Felipe de Jesus Calderon will visit Beijing and Shanghai July 7-12, and will meet President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Olympics Should Not Be Politicized -------------- ¶2. The Olympic Games should not be politicized, and any attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs by politicizing the Olympics is doomed to failure, MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao said at the regular bi-weekly MFA press conference July 3. Heads of state and other dignitaries are invited by the relevant National Olympic Committee, he said. Asked a follow up as to why the Chinese Government has invited heads of state independent of the National Olympic Committee, the spokesperson responded that he had already said enough on procedural matters. Asked for comment on Sarkozy's plan to announce whether he will attend the Olympics next week, the spokesperson said the he had answered the question Tuesday and had no further comment, nor could he comment on a potential meeting between Sarkozy and Chinese President Hu Jintao on the margins of the upcoming G-8 summit. The spokesperson likewise had no information on whether Kim Jong-il will attend the Olympics. Mongolian Unrest: China Hopes for Stability -------------- ¶3. China has taken note of the recent unrest in Mongolia, Liu said. As a friendly neighboring country, China hopes to see a stable Mongolia. The spokesman had not heard of tightened border security following the unrest. China Is a Rule of Law Country -------------- ¶4. The spokesman had not heard of a specific case of "an American convicted 10 years ago for tax evasion in Shanghai" (Note: the journalist was referring to the case of Jude Shao),and could not comment on his recent parole. He noted, however, that China is a country that abides by the rule of law and that all such cases are handled within the bounds of Chinese law. G-8 Agenda: Not Political -------------- ¶5. The G-8 is an international conference of 16 nations, Liu said. The agenda is agreed on by all and is not political in nature. Dalai Lama Meeting: No Information -------------- ¶6. Asked for the results of the meeting between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama, the Liu responded that he too is waiting for news. Six-Party Talks: No Date Set -------------- ¶7. No date has yet been set for a Six-Party Talks heads of delegation meeting. Liu expressed hope that the relevant parties can agree in the near future. Visit: Mexican President Calderon, July 7-12 -------------- ¶8. VISITS: Mexican President Felipe de Jesus Calderon will visit Beijing and Shanghai July 7-12, and will meet President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. This will be Calderon's first visit to China. In 2003, China and Mexico established a strategic partnership. Cooperation between the two is mutually beneficial, as both are developing nations. RANDT