October 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN ARMS SALES, FINANCIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003874 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EAGR EFIN PHUM PTER CH KN JP KS TW SUBJECT: October 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN ARMS SALES, FINANCIAL CRISIS, GUANTANAMO UIGHURS, NORTH KOREAN MISSILE TESTS, HU JIA, MILK CRISIS, RULES FOR FOREIGN JOURNALISTS, COUNTERFEIT CHINESE MICROCHIPS IN U.S. WEAPONS, PAKISTAN PRESIDENT ZADARI ¶1. Key points at the October 7 afternoon MFA press briefing were: -- China hopes that the two U.S. presidential candidates will understand the importance of properly handling the Taiwan issue, adhere to the "One China" policy, abide by the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, and oppose Taiwan independence. -- The spokesperson reiterated China's commitment to "strengthening coordination and cooperation with other countries" in the effort to "safeguard the stability of international financial markets and the healthy and sound development of [China's] economy." -- Regarding the fate of the 17 Chinese nationals held at Guantanamo Bay, China hopes that the United States will take the issue "seriously" and repatriate these "terrorism suspects" to China "shortly." -- The spokesperson could not confirm reports of North Korean missile tests in recent days. -- Responding to reports that Hu Jia may receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the spokesperson pointed out that Hu Jia committed the crime of "subverting the state", and he added that the prize "should be awarded to the right person." -- The Chinese government will "strengthen supervision over food safety," and the spokesperson expressed his belief that "foreign consumers will regain their confidence in Chinese food products." -- The "policy of opening up won't change," and China will continue to facilitate the work of foreign journalists. -- The spokesperson expressed "surprise," "shock," and disbelief when questioned about reports of counterfeit Chinese microchips in U.S. weapons. -- Pakistani President Zadari will visit China at the invitation of President Hu Jintao from October 14 to October 17. Taiwan Arms Sales -------------- ¶2. At the October 9 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Qin Gang reiterated China's "clear, solemn, and resolute opposition" to the recently announced U.S. decision to sell arms to Taiwan. Asked to comment on the expressions of support for the sale from both U.S. presidential candidates, the spokesperson stressed that the Taiwan issue is a "core issue" that forms an "important political foundation" in U.S.-China relations. The nearly 30 years of U.S.-China diplomatic ties, he said, "proves that when the Taiwan issue can be properly handled, our political foundations can be safeguarded and our bilateral relations can go smoothly." "Otherwise," he continued, "Our bilateral relations will experience difficulties, twists, and turns." Noting that "all aspects of U.S. society attach importance to its relations with China," the spokesperson urged the U.S. to "cherish the important political foundation" of the Taiwan issue in U.S.-China relations. "China hopes," he said, "that the two U.S. presidential candidates will understand this and adhere to the 'One China' policy, abide by the Three Joint Communiques, oppose Taiwan independence, and contribute to bilateral relations." Financial Crisis -------------- ¶3. Noting China's position that the "international community should work together" to "overcome the difficulty" of the global financial crisis, the spokesperson reported that China's central bank "and other authorities" are maintaining "close communication and contact" with authorities in other countries. The spokesperson added that China seeks "to continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation" with other countries to "safeguard the stability of international financial markets and the healthy and sound development of our economy." Guantanamo Uighurs -------------- ¶4. Asked for comment on this week's U.S. court rulings on the fate of 17 Uighurs detained at Guantanamo Bay, Qin stated that China's position of "demanding that the U.S. repatriate these terrorist suspects to China" remains unchanged. Stressing that the 17 "terrorism suspects" are members of the East Turkestan Islamic Liberation Movement, he added that China "hopes the U.S. will take this issue seriously and repatriate these 17 people (sic) to China shortly." Questioned about concerns of some that the Uighurs may face torture if they return to China, the spokesperson characterized such concerns as coming from a "biased mind," and added that "China BEIJING 00003874 002 OF 002 is a country under rule of law" whose relevant authorities "forbid" torture. After the suspects return, Qin continued, Chinese judiciary authorities will "deal with them according to law." North Korean Missile Tests -------------- ¶5. Responding to a request for comment on reports that North Korea had tested short-range missiles in recent days, as well as for comment on reports of South Korean military officials' concern over the possibility that North Korea may be developing nuclear warheads, the spokesperson stated that he had read the "relevant reports" but "cannot confirm" the reports. Hu Jia and Nobel Peace Prize -------------- ¶6. Asked for comment on reports that jailed Chinese dissident Hu Jia might receive the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, the spokesperson reminded the audience that Hu Jia "committed the crime of subverting the state and has been convicted." Stating that awarding Hu the prize would constitute a "rude interference in China's affairs," Qin voiced his hope that award sponsors would avoid "doing such a thing that could affect relations with China and damage their image in the hearts of the Chinese people." The Nobel Peace Prize, he said, should be "awarded to the right person." Awarding the prize to a person such as Hu Jia, he said, would "be against the purpose" of the Prize. "If they are looking for a Chinese person to award this prize," Qin added, "I believe there are thousands of Chinese people." Milk Crisis -------------- ¶7. Asked to respond to reports that the Government of Brazil has decided to ban all food products from China because of the milk scandal, the spokesperson said that China understands any government's desire to safeguard the safety and health of its citizens. Nations should take the issue of tainted Chinese dairy products seriously, Qin said, while at the same time remaining "realistic" and keeping a "sober mind." Adding that the "next step" for Chinese authorities will be strengthening supervision over food safety, the spokesperson expressed belief that foreign consumers will see the Chinese government's actions and "regain their confidence in Chinese food products." Rules for Foreign Journalists -------------- ¶8. Asked if a final statement had been issued regarding reporting rules put in place for foreign journalists covering the Olympics, the spokesperson reiterated that China's "policy of opening up won't change," and that China "will continue to facilitate foreign journalists' work." Counterfeit Chinese Microchips in U.S. Weapons -------------- - ¶9. Asked to comment on a Business Week report that counterfeit microchips from China may have jeopardized the safety of some U.S. military equipment, Qin, expressing his "surprise" and "shock" at such questions, stated that he had neither read nor heard of such reports. ¶10. Visit: Pakistani President Zadari -------------- ¶11. The spokesperson announced that Pakistani President Zadari will visit China from October 14 to October 17 at the invitation of President Hu Jintao. In addition to meeting with President Hu, President Zadari will also meet with Premier Wen Jiabao, Wu Bangguo, and Jia Qinglin. PICCUTA