AUGUST 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Six-Party Talks,

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