JULY 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: OLYMPICS AND FREEDOM, KUNMING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002840 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KOLY PHUM KN VM ZI LI SUBJECT: JULY 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: OLYMPICS AND FREEDOM, KUNMING BOMBING, EXXON AND VIETNAM, ZIMBABWE MOU BEIJING 00002840 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Key points at the July 22 afternoon MFA press briefing were: -- All athletes should promote friendship while in China, said the spokesmen when asked to respond to President Bush's comments that athletes should be ambassadors of freedom. -- The MFA continues to "urge all relevant departments and local governments" to implement and fulfill Olympic related promises. -- China condemns the violence of the recent bus bombings in Kunming and has not found any links between the bombings and international terrorism. -- China has made its position known to "relevant parties" in a potential deal between Exxon and Vietnam regarding oil in the South China Sea. -- China welcomes the recently signed MOU between Zimbabwe opposition leaders and the government. Olympics and Freedom -------------- ¶2. At the July 22 regular press conference, spokesman Liu Jianchao said that he had taken note of President Bush's recent comments that U.S. Olympic athletes should be ambassadors of freedom when they compete in Beijing. Liu said that China hopes all athletes "including those from the United States" make efforts to "promote friendship" while in China. Asked to comment on complaints from Olympic sponsors that China has not lived up to their agreements, Liu said that "competent departments" had "taken note of the sponsors' demands" and that they were "reasonable." Liu noted that when considering the demands, security should come first. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will do its best to support the sponsors in their discussions with competent authorities. Liu said he could not comment on general accusations of harassment of foreign journalists. The MFA continues to urge "all relevant departments and local governments" to implement and fulfill Olympic related promises, said Liu. Kunming Bus Bombing -------------- ¶3. Asked about the July 21 bus bombings in Kunming, Liu said that China condemns the violence. Chinese police are currently investigating the incident and so far have found no evidence of links to international terrorism. China will continue to "make efforts to find out the truth." Exxon Mobile - Vietnam Oil Deal -------------- ¶4. Asked to confirm reports that China urged the cancellation of an oil deal between Vietnam and Exxon Mobile, Liu Jianchao said that China's position on the South China Sea is "clear and consistent." China has stated its position to "relevant parties" and opposes any action that infringes on Chinese sovereignty. Zimbabwe Memorandum of Understanding -------------- ¶5. China welcomes the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Zimbabwean government and opposition leaders. The MOU indicates that "relevant parties" are dedicated to solving their problems by peaceful means, said Liu. China hopes that all parties will put the needs of the people first to find a solution. Visas -------------- ¶6. Asked to confirm a Liberian Embassy official's reported statements that Liberian businesspeople have been deported from China despite their holding the correct China visas and the official's claim that multiple countries would make representations to China regarding the issue, Liu said that relevant authorities deal with foreigners according to law. Liu also said that no such representations had been received. North Korean Border, Nepal Constitutional Assembly, British Citizen and Tibetan Youth Congress -------------- -------------- ¶7. The border with North Korea is not closed and everything on the border is normal, said Liu. Asked to comment on the recent constitutional assembly in Nepal, Liu expressed China's congratulations to Nepal. Liu said that as a "good neighbor, friend and partner" China hopes that Nepal will have national solidarity and political stability. Asked about the controversy surrounding British Citizen Dechen Khando Pemba who was deported from China after being accused of being a member of the Tibetan Youth Congress, Liu said that Pemba admitted what she did and that authorities had BEIJING 00002840 002.2 OF 002 made an investigation and taken measures consistent with the law. PICCUTA