SEPTEMBER 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: KOREA DENUCLEARIZATION,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003427

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY MNUC PARM EFIN CH KN GG RS

SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: KOREA DENUCLEARIZATION,
MILITARY EXPENDITURES REPORT, RUSSIA-GEORGIA CONFLICT, IRAQ OIL
DEAL


1. Key points at the September 4 afternoon MFA press briefing were:


-- Relevant parties should "join hands" to solve the recent problems
in the Korean denuclearization process.

-- China has submitted a report on its military expenditures to the
UN which is more complete than the report submitted last year.

-- China hopes that the international community can help promote
peace and stability in Georgia.

-- The spokesperson had read reports of discussion between Chinese
enterprises and Iraq to reach an oil deal. China "supports the
Chinese enterprises."

-- The spokesperson would not comment on the travel plans of the
Iranian president to China other than to say that China "welcomes
foreign political figures."

-- The spokesperson deferred a question on North Korean child
refugees living in China's border lands to local authorities.

Korean Denuclearization
--------------


2. At the September 4 regular MFA press conference, spokesperson
Jiang Yu said that she had "heard" that Assistant Secretary
Christopher Hill will be coming to Beijing to discuss the North
Korea issue but his schedule has not yet been finalized. Jiang said
that it is the "goal of all the parties to achieve the September 19
Joint Statement." Regarding "current problems" all parties should
"enhance cooperation" and "join hands to resolve problems" to press
ahead with the Six-Party Talks process. Asked to confirm reports
that North Korea has begun reversing the dismantlement of its
nuclear program, Jiang said that "there are reports about that" and
that "relevant parties should overcome the difficulties through
contact and discussions."

Military Budget
--------------


3. China has submitted its second report to the "UN Military
Spending Transparency Program" since joining the program last year,
according to Jiang. The report covers 2007 and "includes data on
the main uses" of the money spent on the military. Jiang said that
this makes the "data more complete (fengfu) than last year." The
report shows that "China attaches great importance to military
transparency and will work actively with the countries of the world
to promote military mutual trust." Asked whether China would
release any of the data to the press, Jiang said that the UN might
release some data in accordance with its rules.

Georgia-Russia Conflict
--------------


4. China hopes that relevant parties in the conflict between Russia
and Georgia will resolve their issues through dialogue and
consultations, said Jiang. China also "hopes that the international
community can play a positive role in resolving the conflict through
dialogue." Asked what the appropriate forum for dialogue would be,
Jiang said that "a UN measure should help to promote a resolution
and achieve peace and stability."

China-Iraq Oil Deal
--------------


5. Jiang said that she had "read reports" that Iraq and Chinese
enterprises were discussing an oil deal. The Chinese government
"supports the Chinese enterprises on the basis of equality and
mutual benefit." Jiang could not confirm whether a deal had been
reached.

Iranian President to Beijing
--------------


6. Asked again to confirm reports that Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad will arrive in Beijing on September 6 and that he will
meet with Hu Jintao, Jiang said that China "welcomes foreign
political figures" and that she will release relevant information in
due course. Jiang added that Chinese leaders will also meet with
foreign leaders who visit Beijing.

North Korean Refugees
--------------


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7. Asked to comment on a report that large numbers of North Korean
refugee children are living in China's border regions and are
reduced to prostitution and mendicancy, Jiang referred reporters to
"relevant authorities." Jiang said that "illegal entry into China
violates China's laws" adding that some illegal refugees have
engaged in other "law breaking activities." China always handles
this issue within international law and with the spirit of
humanitarianism, said Jiang.

Sichuan Earthquake
--------------


8. There have been no reports of casualties among foreigners
resulting from the August 30 earthquake which struck the border
between Sichuan and Yunnan said Jiang. Jiang referred reporters to
local authorities in response to a question regarding whether or not
journalists can now visit the affected areas.

Indonesian Timber Shipment
--------------


9. The spokesperson had not seen reports that Greenpeace activists
had boarded an Indonesian ship carrying lumber bound for China.
However, Jiang noted that China has "adopted effective measures
against the illegal transport of timber."

PICCUTA