JANUARY 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, KIM

UNCLAS BEIJING 000317 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MARR KOLY CH TW JA ID KS KN RS SUBJECT: JANUARY 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, KIM JONG-IL, HU VISIT TO JAPAN, SPACE WEAPONS, OLYMPICS AND HUMAN RIGHTS, MORE ¶1. Key points at the January 29 MFA Press Briefing were: -- China considers progress made so far on the Six-Party Talks to be "hard-won" and "worth treasuring," and parties should show patience and implement Six-Party agreements. -- The spokesperson had no information or comments on Kim Jong Il's rumored visit to China or FBI Director Mueller's visit to China. -- China-Japan relations are in a period of "improvement and development." -- China opposes the weaponization of space and will never engage in such activities. -- China opposes efforts to politicize the Olympics and has made progress on its human rights commitments. Visit of Korean Affairs Director, Six-Party Talks -------------- -------------- ¶2. During the January 29 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Jiang Yu said a U.S. delegation led by EAP/K Director Sung Kim will arrive in Beijing on Wednesday and will meet with MFA officials. China considers progress made so far in the Six-Party Talks to be "hard-won" and "worth treasuring." Relevant parties should maintain patience and take initiatives to implement the spirit of the agreements, Jiang stated. Reported Visit of Kim-Jong Il -------------- ¶3. Questioned about a press report of a potential March visit by Kim Jong Il to China, Jiang stated that the Chinese Communist Party and the Worker's Party of the DPRK maintain friendly exchanges. She made no comment on the possibility of a visit. Hu Visit to Japan -------------- ¶4. When asked for China's position regarding China-Japan relations ahead of President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan, Jiang said that China-Japan relations are in an "important period of improvement and development." China hopes to work with Japan to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to deepen cooperation in various fields. ¶5. Responding to a reporter's question about the East China Sea issue, Jiang said that China is willing to work with Japan to adopt a positive and sincere attitude to maintain the momentum of consultations. As China and Japan improve bilateral relations, China hopes to solve this issue at an early date. Jiang said that both China and Japan are important in the East Asian region and shoulder the same responsibilities with regard to international peace. Weaponization of Outer Space -------------- ¶6. In response to a question regarding a possible joint Russia-China proposal on the prevention of the weaponization of outer space, Jiang said that China supports the peaceful exploration of outer space and is opposed to the weaponization of space. China has not nor will it ever engage in the weaponization of outer space. Jiang stated that China actively supports the Disarmament Conference in Geneva and hopes to arrive at an international legal document through negotiations. Olympics and Human Rights -------------- ¶7. In response to a question regarding whether China has lived up to the commitments made in support of its Olympics bid, Jiang stated that China's position on this subject is clear. China opposes efforts to politicize the Olympics. This is contrary to the spirit of the games, and the international community should oppose efforts to disrupt the event. China has made progress to improve the rights of its citizens to voice their concerns in line with China's constitution. FBI Director Visit, Suharto -------------- ¶8. Jiang referred a reporter to other relevant authorities when asked about the schedule and agenda of FBI Director Robert Mueller's January 28-30 visit to Beijing. China expresses condolences regarding Suharto's death, Jiang stated, noting that he worked toward the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries.