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

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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.