APRIL 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK, Visas, Japan, Visits

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001170 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC CH JA FR KN KS SP MX SUBJECT: APRIL 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK, Visas, Japan, Visits ¶1. Key points at the April 30 MFA press briefing: -- China hopes that all parties involved can safeguard the Six-Party Talks. China and Japan are both willing to increase communication and coordination for peace and prosperity in East Asia and the world. -- Foreign reports that China is tightening its visa policies in advance of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC are "groundless and irresponsible." -- Regarding historical sensitivities, China hopes that Japan uses the past "as a mirror to face up to the future" and makes "unremitting" efforts in developing relations. DPRK Demands Apology -------------- ¶2. China hopes that all parties will proceed from their "relevant interests" and safeguard the Six-Party Talks, MFA Spokesperson Jiang Yu said at the April 30 regular MFA press briefing in response to a question on North Korea's threat to continue nuclear and ICBM tests unless the UN Security Council apologizes for "infringing" on the country's sovereignty. China is willing to work with other parties for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, she said. Asked whether Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso would raise the topic in his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the spokesperson said she could not predict their topics of discussion. However, in Aso's meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao April 29, both sides expressed willingness to increase communication and coordination for peace and prosperity in East Asia as well as in the world. Asked whether North Korea's statement would harm Sino-DPRK friendship during this, the Year of China-North Korea Friendship, the spokesperson declined to answer as the question was hypothetical. Sino-Japanese Relations -------------- ¶3. Asked to characterize relations between China and Japan in the wake of Prime Minister Taro Aso's gift offering sent to the Yasukuni shrine, the spokesperson responded only that Aso is currently visiting China, and met today with leaders from a steel company and with young entrepreneurs. Regarding historical sensitivities, China hopes that Japan honors its commitments and uses the past "as a mirror to face up to the future." China hopes Japan makes "unremitting" efforts in developing relations. No Tightening of Visa Policies -------------- ¶4. Foreign reports that China is tightening its visa policies in advance of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC are "groundless and irresponsible," the spokesperson said. Questions Not Answered: Pork, Taiwan -------------- ¶5. Asked to respond to U.S. statements that there is no scientific basis for the Chinese ban on pork products from Mexico and some U.S. states, and whether Spanish and French pork would also be banned, the spokesperson directed the questioner to the State Council Information Office, the Ministry of Health and the Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. Asked whether the Chinese and Taiwanese militaries may sign an agreement in the near future, the spokesperson directed the questioner to the competent authorities. Visits -------------- ¶6. VISITS: -- Vice Premier Wang Qishan will visit Brussels next week to participate in the China-EU High Level Economic dialogue to promote business opportunities "amidst crisis," and to discuss major issues in trade and economic cooperation. Chinese participants will include representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, General Administration of Customs, National Copyright Administration, the Intellectual Property Rights Bureau, Ministry of Energy, the General Administration on Aviation and the Food and Drug Administration. BEIJING 00001170 002 OF 002 -- Vice Premier Wang Qishan will follow his visit to Brussels with a visit to London May 8-12 to hold the seventh UK-China Financial Dialogue, with the goal to increase cooperation on sustainable growth and to promote trade and investment. Chinese participants will include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Bank of China and the Ministry of Energy. PICCUTA