FEBRUARY 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000581 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MARR KOLY ETRD CH JA RS SU SR BM KS, KN, TW, PTER SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE, SIX-PARTY TALKS, BURMA, U.S. SATELLITE, SUDAN VISIT, TERRORISTS IN XINJIANG ¶1. Key points at the February 19, 2008 MFA Press Briefing were: -- China does not support the declaration of independence made by Kosovo. -- China hopes enhanced cooperation on the DPRK nuclear issue will produce results. -- The Burma issue will be solved by the people of Burma and their government. -- China is "highly concerned" about U.S. plans to destroy a satellite. -- Special Envoy Liu Guijin will visit Sudan. -- The spokesman had seen reports of a raid on a Xinjiang terrorist organization. No Support for Kosovo Independence -------------- ¶2. During the February 19 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Liu Jianchao referred reporters to his statement yesterday regarding the declaration of independence in Kosovo. Liu added that the two sides should find a way to resolve the issue. The spokesman also said UN Security Council Resolution 1244 remains applicable until the Security Council agrees on a new resolution. Unilateral action on the issue could have serious consequences. ¶3. When pressed on why China was interested in Kosovo, Liu responded that the issue had a bearing on the peace and stability of the region and the relevance of the Security Council. China supports the goal of a multi-ethnic society. Liu also said that Taiwan had no right to recognize any country as it is a part of China. Meetings with Assistant Secretary Hill -------------- ¶4. Liu confirmed that A/S Hill and AFM He Yafei exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula during meetings while A/S Hill was in Beijing. Liu said China hopes that the enhanced cooperation of relevant countries would produce results on this issue. He declined to comment on any rumored meetings between the United States and the DPRK or on potential meetings to take place in Shenyang in the coming weeks. UN Efforts in Burma -------------- ¶5. Liu said that UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari briefed VM Wang Yi on the situation in Burma and that China's cooperation with the UN and the international community has been fruitful. China supports the mediation efforts of the UN and hopes that Burma will continue on a road towards peace, stability and democratization. Liu emphasized that the Burma issue will be solved by the people of Burma and their government, not by "outside pressure." High Concern Over U.S. Satellite Destruction -------------- ¶6. When asked about United States' intentions to destroy an out-of-control satellite, Liu said that China was highly concerned over the action and would watch the situation closely. China "hopes that the United States will fulfill its obligations to the international community." Liu emphasized that China is "not the only country" which has expressed concern over the announcement. Ongoing Efforts in Darfur -------------- ¶7. When asked what message Special Envoy Liu Guijin would be delivering to the Sudanese Government on his upcoming trip, Liu responded that the visit was part of Liu's ongoing efforts to conduct consultations with Sudan on progress being made there. China feels the international community should speed up the peace process and that the peace talks should include those parties which are currently excluded. Asked directly whether China supports a new round of peace talks, Liu said that China plays a constructive role in Sudan along with all relevant countries. Xinjiang Terrorist Arrests -------------- ¶8. The spokesperson said that he had seen reports that China's public security forces had made a raid on "terrorists" in Xinjiang. Liu added that China's position on terrorists is firm and in line BEIJING 00000581 002 OF 002 with that of the international community. Dumplings, FDA -------------- ¶9. When asked to explain the difference between the Chinese and Japanese position on the dumpling issue, Liu disputed that there was a "difference in position" and said that the two countries would work together to resolve the issue. The spokesperson also confirmed that China had responded to questions from the United States regarding medication made in China.