JULY 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECURITY, INTERNET CENSORSHIP,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002928 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PTER KOLY ENRG PHUM RS FR SUBJECT: JULY 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECURITY, INTERNET CENSORSHIP, HUMAN RIGHTS, MEDIA FREEDOM ¶1. Key points at the July 29 afternoon MFA press briefing were: -- The Kunming bus bombings were not connected to the Olympics, and China is focused on ensuring the safety of those who attend the games. -- You can "get all the information you need" from the Internet in China, but some foreign websites may have their own technical problems making them difficult to view in China. -- Amnesty International needs to "take off its colored glasses" when viewing China. China takes an open attitude towards human rights discussions, however. -- Regulations allowing free rein for foreign journalists have yet to be "100 percent enacted." -- China will make comments if U.S. presidential candidates meet with "separatists or terrorists" Such as the Dalai Lama. -- China and Russia are planning a Prime Minister's meeting focused on energy. Olympic Security -------------- ¶2. The July 21 bus bombings in Kunming had "no connection" with the Olympics said spokesman Liu Jianchao at the July 29 regular press conference. However, security remains an important part of a successful Olympics. China will do what it takes to protect both the Chinese people as well as foreigners who attend the games, said Liu. Asked to clarify what threats there were to the Olympic Games, Liu said that terrorists exist both in China and in the international community. Liu specifically singled out the Turkestan Islamic Party as one terrorist group about which the international community should be "concerned." Asked about conspiracy theories claiming China is manipulating the threat of terrorism to justify enhanced security, Liu said that some groups invented conspiracy theories to attack the Chinese government. Internet Censorship -------------- ¶3. Asked repeatedly why some foreign websites are still not accessible in China, Liu said that you can "get all the information you need" from the Internet in China. China will facilitate athletes' access to the internet during the games, said Liu. Liu also pointed out that individual foreign websites may have their own technical problems which make them difficult to access from China. Asked whether illegal websites such as those created by outlawed spiritual movement Falungong would be unblocked, Liu responded that "Falungong is a cult and we will adhere to our position." Human Rights -------------- ¶4. No one who knows China will agree with the recent Amnesty International report saying human rights in China have deteriorated, said Liu. Liu said that he hopes the group will "take off its colored glasses" and "see China in an objective way." China takes an "open attitude" toward discussions of human rights and does not "evade the topic," said Liu. Liu acknowledged that some parties follow human rights in China very closely but sometimes they disregard China's "great improvements" in human rights to attack China with groundless accusations. China opposes attempts to use human rights to interfere in China's domestic affairs. Foreign Media Freedom -------------- ¶5. Responding to accusations that foreign journalists continue to be harassed in Beijing, Liu said that the problem lies with the Chinese side, the foreign journalists and miscommunication. Liu admitted that the regulations allowing free rein for foreign journalists had not been "100 percent enacted" and asked for cooperation while officials are made aware of the new rules. Presidential Candidates and Dalai Lama -------------- ¶6. Asked whether China considers its comments on Senator McCain's meetings with the Dalai Lama to be inappropriate meddling in the internal politics of the United States, Liu said that China would comment if presidential candidates meet with "separatists or terrorists." Asked to clarify whether the Dalai Lama is a terrorist, Liu backtracked saying that China only considers him a separatist. Liu would not comment on whether Senator Obama would visit China. BEIJING 00002928 002 OF 002 Protest Zones -------------- ¶7. Liu referred to "relevant authorities" questions regarding the three "protest zones" which Beijing plans to designate during the Olympic Games. Liu could not elaborate on or explain the laws governing protests which seem to indicate that foreigners may only participate in protests in China if the protests are led by a Chinese citizen nor could he comment on laws prohibiting protests against the government and Communist Party. Olympic Attendees -------------- ¶8. Liu would not comment on President Bush's schedule while in China. Though he could not provide an exact list of dignitaries who will attend the games, Liu said more than 80 would be present at the Opening Ceremony. Asked whether China would lift its ban on foreigners with HIV/AIDs as it has for foreigners with leprosy during the games, Liu said that the entry and exit of foreigners would be governed by the relevant laws of China. French Companies in China -------------- ¶9. Asked to confirm reports that French companies are finding it harder to register in Beijing, Liu said that the reports are "not in line with the facts." Liu provided statistics indicating that there has been an increase in trade between France and China this year. China hopes to continue developing its partnership with France, said Liu. FDA Opening Offices in China -------------- ¶10. China attaches great importance to food safety, said Liu in response to a question regarding the opening of Food and Drug Administration offices in China. Liu said that China and the United States have "been in contact" regarding the issue and will "find a way to resolve the issue in a proper way." China-Russia Prime Minister Meeting on Energy -------------- ¶11. China and Russia have agreed to hold a prime minister level meeting on energy in Moscow sometime later this year, said Liu. Liu could not confirm reports that the meeting would be held in October. WTO Negotiations -------------- ¶12. Liu said that accusations that China was to blame for lack of progress in the Doha Round of WTO negotiations are "groundless." Liu said that developed countries should be more understanding of developing countries and stop "setting up obstacles." China will continue to work to find a solution acceptable to all parties, he said. RANDT