Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING103
2009-01-13 09:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
JANUARY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MIDDLE EAST, EU, INTERNET
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000103
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH TW IS XG RW UG BR KN MI SF CB
MI
SUBJECT: JANUARY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MIDDLE EAST, EU, INTERNET
CENSORSHIP, DPRK VISIT
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000103
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH TW IS XG RW UG BR KN MI SF CB
MI
SUBJECT: JANUARY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MIDDLE EAST, EU, INTERNET
CENSORSHIP, DPRK VISIT
1. Key points at the January 13 MFA press briefing:
-- China is "gravely concerned" that UN Security Council resolution
1860 is "not being implemented" in Gaza.
-- China "attaches great importance" to its relationship with the EU
-- China calls on France to create conditions for the improvement of
bilateral relations.
-- China "takes an open-minded view" towards the Internet and
"follows usual procedures" in managing it.
-- AFM Hu Zhengyue visited the DPRK from January 9-12 "as part of
normal exchanges."
Gaza Conflict
--------------
2. China is "gravely concerned" that UN Security Council resolution
1860 is "not being implemented" in Gaza, said MFA Spokesperson Jiang
Yu at the January 13 regularly scheduled MFA press briefing. The
resolution represents "the shared aspirations" of the international
community. China calls on all parties to implement a cease fire and
on Israel to withdraw its troops. China also "supports the efforts
of Egypt and other mediators" to resolve the crisis, said Jiang.
Since the start of the conflict, China's role has been
"constructive." China's special envoy to the region Sun Bigan held
talks with Egyptian and Arab League leaders. China is also
considering sending humanitarian assistance to the region, said
Jiang.
EU-China Relations
--------------
3. China "attaches great importance" to its relationship with the EU
and is committed to a "strategic partnership" with the organization.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi "exchanged views" with Czech Foreign
Minister Karel Schwarzenberg on the importance of relations in a
recent conversation, said Jiang. Asked about China's relations with
France, Jiang said that China "has always valued its relations with
France" and has "never done anything to harm" the country. However,
the Tibet issue has "greatly damaged" relations and the image of
France in the minds of the Chinese people. France should "take
seriously" China's concerns, "take constructive action" and create
conditions for the improvement of bilateral relations, said Jiang.
Internet Censorship
--------------
4. Amnesty International's accusation that its website has been
blocked in China due to the Chinese Government's apprehension
regarding upcoming sensitive anniversaries was made "due to
ignorance of China's situation," said Jiang. China "takes an
open-minded view" towards the Internet and "follows usual
procedures" in managing it. China could not have as many Internet
users as it has if it did not have these policies, said Jiang.
Websites that "advocate illegal things like cults" cannot be
allowed, Jiang asserted. Asked whether she could confirm whether
Amnesty's website has been blocked in China, Jiang said she did not
have specific information, but noted that "that organization is
biased and not objective."
AFM Hu Zhengyue trip to DPRK
--------------
5. Chinese AFM Hu Zhengyue visited the DPRK from January 9-12 "as
part of normal exchanges," said the spokesperson. While in the
DPRK, Hu met with Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun and Kim Yong Il to
discuss the enhancement of friendship between the DPRK and China.
Hu also discussed ceremonies commemorating the 60th anniversary of
relations between the two countries which the spokesman predicted
would be both "rich and colorful."
Somali Piracy and Taiwan
--------------
6. China has sent ships to the sea off of Somalia following a UN
BEIJING 00000103 002 OF 002
Security Council resolution and the invitation of the Somali
Government, said Jiang. The Chinese ships will also protect
merchant vessels from Taiwan.
Foreign Minister Travels
--------------
7. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will visit Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi
and South Africa from January 13-17 to "improve relations" with the
four African nations and have an "in-depth dialogue." Yang will
visit Brazil from January 17-19 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of
relations between the two countries. Jiang noted that cooperation
with Brazil will "help to increase [China and Brazil's]
representation in the international sphere" Yang will also visit
Portugal from January 20-21 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of
relations.
Cambodian King Illness
--------------
8. The spokesperson had not heard reports that Cambodia's former
king Norodom Sihanouk has been hospitalized in Beijing but said that
China "wishes him a happy life."
RANDT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH TW IS XG RW UG BR KN MI SF CB
MI
SUBJECT: JANUARY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MIDDLE EAST, EU, INTERNET
CENSORSHIP, DPRK VISIT
1. Key points at the January 13 MFA press briefing:
-- China is "gravely concerned" that UN Security Council resolution
1860 is "not being implemented" in Gaza.
-- China "attaches great importance" to its relationship with the EU
-- China calls on France to create conditions for the improvement of
bilateral relations.
-- China "takes an open-minded view" towards the Internet and
"follows usual procedures" in managing it.
-- AFM Hu Zhengyue visited the DPRK from January 9-12 "as part of
normal exchanges."
Gaza Conflict
--------------
2. China is "gravely concerned" that UN Security Council resolution
1860 is "not being implemented" in Gaza, said MFA Spokesperson Jiang
Yu at the January 13 regularly scheduled MFA press briefing. The
resolution represents "the shared aspirations" of the international
community. China calls on all parties to implement a cease fire and
on Israel to withdraw its troops. China also "supports the efforts
of Egypt and other mediators" to resolve the crisis, said Jiang.
Since the start of the conflict, China's role has been
"constructive." China's special envoy to the region Sun Bigan held
talks with Egyptian and Arab League leaders. China is also
considering sending humanitarian assistance to the region, said
Jiang.
EU-China Relations
--------------
3. China "attaches great importance" to its relationship with the EU
and is committed to a "strategic partnership" with the organization.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi "exchanged views" with Czech Foreign
Minister Karel Schwarzenberg on the importance of relations in a
recent conversation, said Jiang. Asked about China's relations with
France, Jiang said that China "has always valued its relations with
France" and has "never done anything to harm" the country. However,
the Tibet issue has "greatly damaged" relations and the image of
France in the minds of the Chinese people. France should "take
seriously" China's concerns, "take constructive action" and create
conditions for the improvement of bilateral relations, said Jiang.
Internet Censorship
--------------
4. Amnesty International's accusation that its website has been
blocked in China due to the Chinese Government's apprehension
regarding upcoming sensitive anniversaries was made "due to
ignorance of China's situation," said Jiang. China "takes an
open-minded view" towards the Internet and "follows usual
procedures" in managing it. China could not have as many Internet
users as it has if it did not have these policies, said Jiang.
Websites that "advocate illegal things like cults" cannot be
allowed, Jiang asserted. Asked whether she could confirm whether
Amnesty's website has been blocked in China, Jiang said she did not
have specific information, but noted that "that organization is
biased and not objective."
AFM Hu Zhengyue trip to DPRK
--------------
5. Chinese AFM Hu Zhengyue visited the DPRK from January 9-12 "as
part of normal exchanges," said the spokesperson. While in the
DPRK, Hu met with Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun and Kim Yong Il to
discuss the enhancement of friendship between the DPRK and China.
Hu also discussed ceremonies commemorating the 60th anniversary of
relations between the two countries which the spokesman predicted
would be both "rich and colorful."
Somali Piracy and Taiwan
--------------
6. China has sent ships to the sea off of Somalia following a UN
BEIJING 00000103 002 OF 002
Security Council resolution and the invitation of the Somali
Government, said Jiang. The Chinese ships will also protect
merchant vessels from Taiwan.
Foreign Minister Travels
--------------
7. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will visit Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi
and South Africa from January 13-17 to "improve relations" with the
four African nations and have an "in-depth dialogue." Yang will
visit Brazil from January 17-19 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of
relations between the two countries. Jiang noted that cooperation
with Brazil will "help to increase [China and Brazil's]
representation in the international sphere" Yang will also visit
Portugal from January 20-21 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of
relations.
Cambodian King Illness
--------------
8. The spokesperson had not heard reports that Cambodia's former
king Norodom Sihanouk has been hospitalized in Beijing but said that
China "wishes him a happy life."
RANDT