Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING1170
2009-04-30 09:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL PGOV MNUC CH JA FR KN KS SP MX 
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DE RUEHBJ #1170/01 1200930
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300930Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3756
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0597
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4547
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0739
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1203
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
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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

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