Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING3342
2008-08-28 22:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

AUGUST 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Six-Party Talks,

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY MNUC PARM UNGA EINV CH TW RU 
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FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9607
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 0114
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0926
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003342 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY MNUC PARM UNGA EINV CH TW RU
GG, KS, KN, IQ
SUBJECT: AUGUST 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Six-Party Talks,
Russia-Georgia Conflict, SCO Summit, Taiwan UN Participation,
China-Iraq Oil Deal, Xinjiang.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003342

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY MNUC PARM UNGA EINV CH TW RU
GG, KS, KN, IQ
SUBJECT: AUGUST 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Six-Party Talks,
Russia-Georgia Conflict, SCO Summit, Taiwan UN Participation,
China-Iraq Oil Deal, Xinjiang.


1. Key points at the August 28 MFA Press Briefing:

-- China calls on parties to "stay patient," to "show wisdom and
flexibility" and to try to "meet each other halfway" to overcome
present difficulties in the North Korean denuclearization process.

-- China is concerned by the latest developments in the
Russia-Georgia conflict and hopes the parties will resolve problems
through dialogue and consultation. China continues to "firmly
support" Russia's hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

-- Reporters should "wait and see" whether the results of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tajikistan include
a statement on the Russia-Georgia conflict.

-- A "handful" of East Turkestan forces are attempting to engage in
violence and separatist activities, and the Chinese Government and
relevant authorities will "crack down on them according to law."

-- The proposal put forward by Nauru, Gambia and a few other
countries for expanded Taiwan participation in the UN constitutes
interference in China's internal affairs. China calls upon all
countries to "continue to adhere to the one-China policy." The
issue of "Taiwan compatriots" taking part in international
activities should be resolved through consultations.

-- The agreement between the China National Petroleum Corporation
and the Government of Iraq is "mutually beneficial," "conducive to
the economic development of Iraq" and "does not harm the interests
of any third parties."

-- A handful of "East Turkestan forces" are attempting to engage in
violence and separatist activities, and the Chinese Government will
"crack down on them according to law."

Six-Party Talks
--------------


2. Responding to a question concerning the Chinese Government's

position in the wake of North Korea's decision to suspend nuclear
disablement, MFA spokesman Qin Gang said at the regular August 28
MFA press briefing that at the July meeting of Six-Party Talks
delegations, the parties had agreed to implement the remaining
actions of the second phase of denuclearization. Acknowledging
difficulties, Qin called on all parties to "stay patient," to "show
wisdom and flexibility" and to try to "meet each other halfway" to
overcome present difficulties and press ahead in the North Korean
denuclearization process. As the host of the Six-Party Talks, "China
has always and will continue to keep positive communication and
coordination with other parties so as to play a constructive role"
toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Russia-Georgia Conflict/SCO Summit
--------------


3. Asked to comment on whether Russian recognition of the breakaway
regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia might set a "dangerous
precedent," Qin replied that China is concerned by the latest
developments in the Russia-Georgia conflict, and hopes that the
parties will resolve the problems through dialogue and consultation.
Responding to a question about whether China will join others in
supporting the cancellation of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in
Russia, Qin stated that China continues to "firmly support" Russia's
position as host for the 2014 Games.


4. Asked if the SCO will be taking a common stance on the issue of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Qin said that the Heads of State at the
SCO summit "will exchange views on national and regional issues of
common interest." As to what results could be achieved, Qin added,
"I think that we should wait and see."

Taiwan UN Participation
--------------


5. Commenting on the proposal by Nauru and Gambia supporting greater
participation by Taiwan in UN activities, Qin stated that "creating
two Chinas, or one China and one Taiwan, encroached upon China's
sovereignty and territorial integrity, and interfered in China's
sovereign internal affairs." China calls on other countries to
abide by the UN Charter and to "continue to adhere to the one-China
policy," so as to support the "peaceful development of cross-Strait
relations." China "attaches great importance" to the well-being of
and involvement in international activities by the 23 million
"Taiwan compatriots," Qin stressed. The issue of participation in

BEIJING 00003342 002.3 OF 002


international activities by Taiwan's people should be resolved
through consultation.

CNPC-Iraq Oil Deal
--------------


6. Asked if the recently-signed oil deal between the China National
Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and the Government of Iraq might
complicate China's relations with the United States Government, Qin
replied that the agreement is "mutually beneficial," "conducive to
the economic development of Iraq," adheres to market rules and
"won't harm the interests of any third parties."

Xinjiang
--------------


7. Asked to respond to allegations made by the Germany-based World
Uyghur Congress that over 1,000 Uighurs have been arrested or
detained since attacks in Xinjiang earlier this month, including
more than 100 children aged 8 to 14, Qin stated that a "handful" of
"East Turkestan forces" are attempting to engage in violence and
separatist activities, and the Chinese Government and relevant
authorities will "crack down on them according to law." Such
activities by the "East Turkestan forces," Qin emphasized, "have
nothing to do with" the alleged persecution or oppression of
Uighurs.
RANDT