MAY 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Ma Ying-jeou Stop-Over,

UNCLAS BEIJING 001379 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV CH DA BM CB LA VM SUBJECT: MAY 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Ma Ying-jeou Stop-Over, Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Statement, Chinese Projects on Mekong ¶1. Key points at the May 21 MFA press briefing: -- China continues to oppose official exchanges between other countries and the Taiwan authorities in accordance with the one China principle, and that position is unchanged. -- A statement on the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference posted on the National Development and Reform Commission website makes clear that China is making efforts to address climate change, and in the statement China calls on developed countries to reduce emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. -- China "attaches great importance" to rivers that cross international borders, and pays "equal attention" to development and protection. Ma Ying-jeou U.S. Stop-Over -------------- ¶2. Asked at the May 21 regular MFA press briefing about Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's planned U.S. stop-over in connection with a visit to Central America, MFA spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu said that the Chinese government continues to oppose official exchanges between other countries and the Taiwan authorities in accordance with the one China principle, and that position is unchanged. UN Conference on Climate Change -------------- ¶3. The Chinese government has released a statement on the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, posted on the National Development and Reform Commission website called "Implementation of the Bali Roadmap," Ma said. The statement makes clear that China is "making efforts to address climate change" and further enhance cooperative efforts through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the spokesperson continued. In the statement, China calls on developed countries to reduce emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. Pollution in Southern Chinese Rivers -------------- ¶4. In response to a question about a UN environmental report on the effects of Chinese dam-building projects on other countries bordering the Mekong, Ma stated that the Chinese government "attaches great importance" to rivers that cross international borders, and pays "equal attention" to development and protection. Ma said "relevant offices" take environmental impact seriously, and have set up a series of seminars and workshops. The spokesperson also noted that that China has given "comprehensive consideration" to various aspects of Salween River development. WEINSTEIN