FEBRUARY 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY RICE VISIT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000686 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MARR KOLY ETRD CH JA RS SU SR BM KS, KN, TW, XA SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY RICE VISIT, CHINA'S VATICAN POLICY, REACTION TO "88 GENERATION'S" CALL TO BOYCOTT OLYMPICS, JAPANESE DUMPLING ISSUE ¶1. Key points at the February 26, 2008 MFA Press Briefing were: -- The spokesman reported that both Secretary Rice and FM Yang stressed the importance of the consensus President Bush and President Hu had reached on the bilateral relationship. -- Yang stressed to Secretary Rice that Taiwan is China's biggest concern and expressed appreciation for her statements against Taiwan's UN referendum and in support of a one China policy, said Liu. -- Both sides expressed their satisfaction with DPRK denuclearization developments and a desire to press ahead with the Six-Party Talks. -- China believes the Iran nuclear issue should be left to diplomatic negotiations to "sort out." --China wants to develop Vatican relations as long as the Vatican severs official relations with Taiwan and does not "interfere in domestic matters in the name of religious affairs." --China is opposed to the politicization of the Olympic Games and views its policy towards Burma as mutually beneficial and conducive to a peaceful and democratic resolution. -- Chinese and Japanese law enforcement cooperation to investigate the poisoned dumpling issue continues. U.S. Secretary of State Rice's Visit -------------- ¶2. During the February 26 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Liu Jianchao reviewed Secretary Rice's meeting with Foreign Minister Yang. Both Secretary Rice and FM Yang stressed the importance of the consensus President Bush and President Hu had reached on bilateral relations as the groundwork for promoting the relationship, said Liu. ¶3. According to Liu, FM Yang noted the upcoming 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China and said "major progress has been made in the U.S.-China bilateral relationship." Both sides should look to develop "long-term and strategic interests," Yang noted during the meeting, said Liu. Yang stressed to Secretary Rice that the issue of Taiwan is China's biggestconcern and expressed appreciation for her staements aginst Taiwan's UN referendum and insupport of a one China policy, Liu said. Yang added that he hoped that the United States would "take all necessary measures" to prevent Taiwan independence, safeguard cross-strait stability and work towards common strategic interests, stated Liu. ¶4. According to Liu, Secretary Rice said that U.S.-China relations had a "sound tradition" and highlighted cooperation on bilateral and global issues. Commenting on the benefits of the bilateral economic relationship, Secretary Rice characterized the Strategic Economic Dialogue as "fruitful," said Liu. She expressed appreciation for China's role in issues such as Darfur and added that the United States opposes the politicization of the Olympic Games, reported Liu. Reiterating the United States adherence to a "one China policy," she stated that the United States opposes the Taiwan referendum because it would be "no good to any party," continued Liu. ¶5. Both sides expressed their satisfaction with DPRK denuclearization developments and a desire to press ahead with the Six-Party Talks. Secretary Rice and FM Yang also exchanged views on nuclear issues, Iran and Darfur, said Liu. He added that Secretary Rice will also have meetings with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan. ¶6. In response to questions about the resumption of a U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue and establishment of a direct military telephone line, Liu confirmed that both had been agreed upon but the arrangements had not been finalized. Iran Sanctions Proposal -------------- ¶7. In response to a question about China's position on the U.S. draft sanctions resolution against Iran in the UN Security Council, Liu said that China believes it should be left to diplomatic negotiations to "sort out this issue." China hopes all members of the UN Security Council will continue their consultations, he continued. China's main goal in the matter was to "create conditions for the proper resolution" and "resume talks between relevant countries," Liu stated. China-Vatican Relations BEIJING 00000686 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶8. Responding to a follow-up question from last week's press briefing on China-Vatican "contact," Liu said that China wants to improve the China-Vatican relationship according to two fundamental principles: that the Vatican sever "so-called diplomatic relations with Taiwan" and will not "interfere with China's internal affairs in the name of religious affairs." In line with these principles, according to Liu, "there have been contacts." Olympic Boycott -------------- ¶9. Asked China's response to the Burmese organization "88 Generation's" call for a boycott of the Olympic Games, Liu said he wasn't familiar with this specific organization, but affirmed China's "friendly policy" towards Burma. Liu characterized China's Burma policy as "beneficial to the Burmese and Chinese people" and "conducive to the democratic process as well as peace and reconciliation in Burma." Liu said that China is firmly against any "politicization of the Olympics." China-Japan Police Cooperation on the Dumpling Issue -------------- -------------- ¶10. When asked for confirmation about whether or not the Vice Minister from the Ministry of Public Security went to "the scene" to guide the poisoned dumpling investigation, Liu stated that the Deputy Chief of the Japanese National Police Agency and Vice Minister Meng Kongwei from the MPS met in China to exchange views on the matter. Both sides place great significance on the matter and hope for a conclusion to the investigation as soon as possible, Liu said. Hu Jia's Arrest, Repatriated Tibetan from Nepal -------------- -- ¶11. In response to a question about whether or not human rights activist Hu Jia's arrest had a connection to the Olympics or was related to politics, Liu stated that China operates according to the rule of law and that anyone who violated Chinese law would be punished. Liu was not familiar with the case of the Tibetan repatriated from Nepal but stated that the international community needs to "strengthen cooperation on illegal immigration."