MAY 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, BOC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001353 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH FR AS KN PK BR IN KS XG BM RS VM SUBJECT: MAY 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, BOC VERDICTS, U.S. LEGISLATION, BURMA ¶1. Key points at the May 19 MFA press briefing: -- -- China "hoped the new U.S. Ambassador to China would play a positive role in promoting friendship between the two countries." -- China "welcomed the verdict" convicting two former Bank of China employees who "committed embezzlement and then absconded to the United States." -- Sections of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for 2010 and 2011 "violated the fundamental principles of international relations as well as the three China-U.S. joint communiques and relevant bilateral agreements." -- Asked about China's reaction to U.S. statements on Burmese political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi, Ma said that the issue "should be decided by the people" of Burma. U.S. Ambassador to China -------------- ¶2. The United States officially "solicited the opinion of China" about the recently named U.S. Ambassador to China said MFA spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu at the May 19 regular press conference. China would deal with the issue through established international practice, he noted. China hoped the new Ambassador would "play a positive role in promoting friendship between the two countries." Bank of China Convictions -------------- ¶3. China welcomed the verdict convicting two former Bank of China employees who "committed embezzlement and then absconded to the United States." The case demonstrated "positive progress" in U.S.-China law enforcement cooperation. "No matter where they hide" warned Ma, "international justice" would find corrupt people. China would work with the United States to find a way to repatriate or extradite the pair back to China, said Ma. U.S. Legislation -------------- ¶4. Sections of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for 2010 and 2011 violated "the fundamental principles of international relations as well as the three China-U.S. joint communiques and relevant bilateral agreements," Ma proclaimed. The sections dealing with China's internal matters -- including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Tibet -- infringed on China's internal affairs, he added. China had made solemn representations to the United States on this matter and urged the United States to "delete the sections so as not to damage bilateral relations." In contrast, China had also "taken note" of four more positive bills pending in the U.S. House of Representatives dealing with "trade, energy, climate change and culture" introduced by the U.S.-China Working Group. China was ready to make progress with the United States on all of those issues, said Ma. Burma -------------- ¶5. Asked about China's reaction to U.S. statements seeking the release of Burmese political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi, Ma said that the issue "should be decided by the people" of Burma. He added that China hoped Burma would be able to achieve reconciliation, stability and peace. Tiananmen Massacre Anniversary -------------- ¶6. Asked about the recently released memoirs of deposed Chinese Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang, Ma said that the Chinese Communist Party and government had "already reached an unequivocal conclusion" on the "political incident of the late 1980s and related issues." The past three decades had witnessed the "remarkable success" of Socialism with Chinese characteristics. This development was "in the fundamental interest" of the Chinese people," said Ma. Asked about remaining Tiananmen activists who were still in prison, Ma said that he didn't know where the reporter got his information. Tibet and Dalai Lama's Visit to France -------------- ¶7. Tibet remained an "inalienable part of China" and the Dalai Lama was a "political exile" who had not stopped his efforts to split China. The purpose of his visit to France was to "damage relations" BEIJING 00001353 002 OF 003 between China and France, announced Ma. China opposed any country allowing the Dalai Lama to conduct his political activities in its territory. H1N1 -------------- ¶8. Relevant Chinese Authorities would closely watch the developments of the progress of the H1N1 virus and China would follow the latest World Health Organization suggestions, said Ma. China had made "major deployments" to counter the spread of the virus. China "might adjust" its countermeasures, and reporters should watch the website of China's Ministry of Health carefully, said Ma. BRIC Meetings -------------- ¶9. Asked about the upcoming Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC) Foreign Minister's meeting to be held in June, Ma said that China took a positive view towards the gathering. All four countries were "major emerging powers" sharing the political will to take action on development issues. The grouping was "transparent" and not aimed against any other country, Ma noted. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶10. Relevant countries should work hard to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and promote the Six-Party Talks, said Ma. Ma added that China was "doing its part" on this issue. Sri Lanka -------------- ¶11. As a "friendly neighbor" of Sri Lanka, China was following the situation there closely, said the spokesperson. China hoped the country could achieve national reconciliation, stability and economic development. China had also offered 1 million USD in aid to help civilians in the northern part of the country as well as 20 million RMB worth of tents. China-EU Summit -------------- ¶12. Wen Jiabao planned to attend the 11th China-EU summit to be held in Prague on May 20th. The summit represented the "highest consultative mechanism" between European and Chinese leaders. Wen Jiabao would exchange views with counterparts on relations and would sign "cooperation documents." Wen Jiabao's participation in the summit was a demonstration of the importance China placed on the relationship with the EU, said Ma. China hoped to work with the EU to strengthen cooperation and combat the financial crisis. Papua New Guinea -------------- ¶13. Foreign owned businesses suffered looting recently in Papua New Guinea including nine Chinese owned stores, said the spokesperson. Ma noted that there were no casualties and that most foreign owned shops had returned to regular operations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made representations to the Papua New Guinea government and asked for increased police presence to avoid future incidents. China also warned its citizens to use caution in Papua New Guinea. Brazil Presidential Visit -------------- ¶14. President Hu Jintao would host a welcome ceremony for and hold talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during his current visit to China, said Ma. Cooperation documents would be signed and China hoped to promote the strategic partnership with Brazil. Trafficking in UK -------------- ¶15. Asked about reports of 77 Chinese children trafficked into the United Kingdom, Ma said that China "firmly opposed" the trafficking of children. China urged the UK government to look into the reports and keep China informed of any developments. Visits -------------- ¶16. President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma planned to visit China from May 24-30. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao would attend the BEIJING 00001353 003 OF 003 9th Asia-Europe Summit in Hanoi May 25-26. The talks would focus on jointly combating the financial crisis and increasing communication and mutual trust between regions. China hoped that the Summit would build on the achievements of the previous meeting held in Beijing last year. WEINSTEIN