MAY 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: HU-OBAMA TELCON, USNS VICTORIOUS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001227 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV AMED MCAP CH MX CE CA AS KU JP SUBJECT: MAY 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: HU-OBAMA TELCON, USNS VICTORIOUS, H1N1 FLU, SPANISH REQUEST ON TIBET, DALAI LAMA'S PARIS CITIZENSHIP ¶1. Key points at the May 7 MFA press briefing: -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed bilateral relations and had an "in-depth exchange of views" on H1N1 influenza, agreeing to cooperate in addressing the issue. The two leaders also discussed the Korean Peninsula and South Asia. -- The U.S. surveillance ship USNS Victorious "breached international and Chinese law by entering into China's Exclusive Economic Zone." The MFA spokesperson urged the United States to "take measures to prevent a recurrence." -- The measures the Chinese Government has taken to respond to H1N1 influenza were "not discriminatory and are not targeted at any country" and were designed "not only to prevent the spread of the disease in China but also in Asia." -- Responding to questions regarding a Spanish judge's request to interview eight PRC officials as suspects in Tibetans' deaths following the March 14 riots in Lhasa, the MFA spokesman said the March 14 incident was a "serious criminal act of violence" and that Chinese leaders "handled the situation according to the law." -- The City of Paris will "meet with the Chinese people's firm opposition" if it awards honorary citizenship to the Dalai Lama. Hu-Obama Phone Call -------------- ¶2. Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed bilateral relations and had an "in-depth exchange of views" on H1N1 influenza, agreeing to cooperate in addressing the issue during a phone call on May 6. They also discussed "the Korean Peninsula and South Asia," spokesman Ma Zhaoxu at the May 7 regularly scheduled MFA press conference. H1N1 Influenza -------------- ¶3. The measures the Chinese Government has taken to respond to H1N1 influenza were "not discriminatory and not targeted at any country." There had been "no change" in visa policy for people traveling to China from the United States Ma said when asked about reports that China had suspended its rush visa service in the United States. Ma said he could not give out the number of individuals quarantined because the matter was "complicated," noting that most people involved were Chinese nationals. The Chinese Government was "providing the best possible conditions" and most people quarantined "expressed their satisfaction" with their treatment. Noting that China was a big country in terms of "population size and population density" and that China had the "experience of SARS," Ma said the measures China took were "not only to prevent the spread of the disease in China but also in Asia." Spanish Request to Interview PRC Officials on Tibet -------------- -------------- ¶4. Ma responded to multiple questions regarding the Chinese Government's reaction to a Spanish judge's request to interview eight Chinese officials as suspects in the deaths of Tibetans during the March 14, 2008 Lhasa riots by saying that the March 14 incident was a "serious criminal act of violence" and that Chinese leaders "handled the situation according to the law." China "encouraged other countries to handle the situation according to international law and norms and not encourage separatist activity." Ma declined to answer follow-up questions on whether China would cooperate with the Spanish request, whether the Chinese officials would avoid visiting Spain, and how this issue might affect bilateral relations with Spain. Possible Paris Citizenship for the Dalai Lama -------------- ¶5. When asked about the possibility that the city of Paris might award honorary citizenship to the Dalai Lama, Ma replied that Paris adopted a resolution to award the Dalai Lama with honorary citizenship one year ago, and that "if it does make this award," Paris would "meet with the Chinese people's firm opposition." Ma "urged the French side not to interfere" in China's internal affairs. Ma said it took "concerted efforts on both sides" to repair the bilateral relationship, and that the relationship had "finally returned to a sound and stable" situation. Human Trafficking -------------- BEIJING 00001227 002 OF 003 ¶6. In response to a question on China's reaction to a media report that 77 Chinese children disappeared from a children's home in the United Kingdom, Ma answered that he did not know the specifics of this case but that the Chinese Government "attaches great importance to protecting the rights and interests of its citizens" and efforts to "combat trafficking of women and children" have made remarkable progress. China is an "active partner" in the international effort to combat trafficking and illegal immigration. This is a "global challenge that requires a global effort," and China is "dedicated and committed" to cooperating with other nations in this field. U.S.-China Incident in South China Sea -------------- ¶7. China had already responded to questions regarding the incident involving the U.S. Navy surveillance ship Victorious, Ma said when asked about the matter. Ma stressed that "the U.S. surveillance ship breached international and Chinese law by entering into China's Exclusive Economic Zone." Ma urged the United States to "take measures to prevent a recurrence." Visit by U.S. Special Representative for DPRK Policy -------------- -------------- ¶8. Ma confirmed that U.S. Special Representative for North Korean Policy Stephen Bosworth was scheduled to arrive in Beijing on May 7 and would meet with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei to "exchange views on issues of common interest." Chinese Military Development -------------- ¶9. Ma deflected questions about the Chinese Government's assessment of the Australian defense white paper by criticizing the questioner for not attending the previous press conference and saying that China pursued a course of "peaceful development." China's "national defense policy" was "defensive in nature," "China was a positive force in promoting world peace and stability" and did not "pose a threat" to any other country. Ma had nothing to add to China's previous statements when asked about U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael G. Mullen's comment that China's military upgrades were aimed at countering the United States. "Nanjing! Nanjing!" and China-Japan Relations -------------- ¶10. Asked whether China's listing of the film "Nanjing! Nanjing!" as one of ten recommended films to view during the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China signaled any change in PRC policy toward Japan, Ma said China hopes Japan will "face history and use history as a mirror" so that China and Japan can "face the future together," Ma said. Harassment of Foreign Journalists in Sichuan -------------- ¶11. When asked about reports that local officials in Sichuan Province were harassing foreign journalists, Ma replied that he was "surprised" to hear about this and suggested that journalists should contact his colleagues or the local foreign affairs office if they had any "specific cases." Ma added that China would "handle relevant cases according to the law." Visits -------------- ¶12. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit China May 18-20 at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao. In response to a question about Lula da Silva's visit, Ma said the visit was to mark the occasion of the 35th anniversary of bilateral relations, and it was his second state visit to China. China attaches great importance to this visit, and Hu Jintao would "hold a welcoming ceremony in his honor." Both sides would hold talks to have an "in-depth exchange of views to expand cooperation" in practical fields, as well as "sign several cooperation agreements" to enhance relations and further develop bilateral cooperation. ¶13. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting in Moscow on 15 May at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to prepare for the mid-June SCO summit in Yekaterinburg. Yang and Lavrov will exchange views on cooperation and major international and regional issues. ¶14. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Asian Affairs Director General Ms. Yang Yanyi will take part in the Afghanistan Regional Economic Cooperation meeting scheduled to be held in BEIJING 00001227 003 OF 003 Pakistan, Ma said. ¶15. During Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's May 10-13 visit to China, both sides would hold "intense discussions" on "how to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation" on energy issues that both nations enjoyed. Ma said China's cooperation with Kuwait on energy issues was "highly complementary." PICCUTA