JUNE 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY CLINTON'S TIANANMEN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001495 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EFIN ETRD SENV CH KN KS JP BR IN RS SUBJECT: JUNE 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY CLINTON'S TIANANMEN MESSAGE, TIANANMEN MASSACRE ANNIVERSARY, STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC DIALOGUE, VISIT OF TODD STERN ¶1. Key points at the June 4 MFA press briefing: -- China calls Secretary Clinton's message on the twentieth anniversary of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen Square massacre "groundless accusations" in contravention of the U.S.-China Joint Communiqus and international norms. China believes the Secretary's statement is a "gross interference" into China's internal affairs and is indicative of "political prejudice," and requests that the United States immediately "correct" this "wrongdoing" to avoid "undermining" bilateral relations. -- Asked to explain why there was an increased presence of police in and around Tiananmen Square today, and why foreign journalists were being barred from entering the square without prior notice, the spokesperson asked all journalists to abide by China's laws and regulations while reporting on developments, and said that the situation at Tiananmen today was "stable, as usual." -- China believes the Strategic and Economic Dialogue, to be held in late July in Washington, D.C., is "an important step in the development of U.S.-China relations in a new era." -- The upcoming visit of Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern represents another opportunity to "expand communication and exchange" on the increasingly important issue of climate change, an issue which represents a "new area for boosting cooperation" between the United States and China. Anniversary of Tiananmen Massacre -------------- ¶2. Asked about the twentieth anniversary of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen Square massacre at the June 4 regularly scheduled MFA press briefing, spokesperson Qin Gang said that he had "expounded many times" that the Chinese Communist Party and government had "already reached an unequivocal conclusion" on the "political incident of the late 1980s and related issues." He added that the past three decades had witnessed the "remarkable success" of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This development was the will of the Chinese people and "in their fundamental interest." Secretary Clinton's Statement -------------- ¶3. When pressed to comment on Secretary Clinton's statement to mark the anniversary, Qin said that the Secretary's remarks represent "groundless accusations" and are in contravention of the U.S.-China Joint Communiqus and international norms. He stressed that her statement is a "gross interference" into China's internal affairs and is indicative of "political prejudice." He added that China hoped the United States would immediately "correct" this "wrongdoing" to avoid "undermining" bilateral relations. When asked why the Secretary's message is considered "political prejudice," Qin said that China's position is "clear and persistent" and that China "opposed double standards," adding that the remarks contravene "international law and norms" governing international relations enshrined in "UN conventions." Restricted Access to Tiananmen -------------- ¶4. Asked to explain why there was an increased presence of police in and around Tiananmen Square today, and why foreign journalists were being barred from entering the square without prior notice, Qin asked all journalists to abide by China's laws and regulations while reporting on developments, and asked that they obtain permission through the "relevant authorities" to cover any news relating to Tiananmen Square. When pressed as to what those specific regulations were, Qin said he had already addressed that issue. He added that the situation at Tiananmen today was "stable, as usual." Tiananmen "Wording" Incorrect -------------- ¶5. Foreign journalists should be careful with the words they use to describe the "political incident of the late 1980s and related issues," added Qin. When a journalist asked how he should refer to the "Tiananmen killings" after having been berated by Qin for using "wrong" words to phrase his question, Qin said he had already addressed that issue, and that the answer could be gleaned from his previous remarks. Later, when pressed again about the death toll from the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Qin replied again that he had already addressed this issue. His response was the same when asked about the fate of the unknown man whose picture was taken on June 5, 1989, as he stepped in front of tanks near Tiananmen Square. BEIJING 00001495 002 OF 003 Deportation of Wu'er Kaixi -------------- ¶6. Qin referred journalists to local authorities in Macau when asked about the reportedly "forced deportation" of former student leader Wu'er Kaixi from Macau to Taiwan. Strategic and Economic Dialogue -------------- ¶7. President Hu and President Obama agreed to the Strategic and Economic Dialogue mechanism in April in London which will involve Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo on the Chinese side, and Secretary Clinton and Secretary Geithner on the U.S. side, explained Qin. The first round of talks are scheduled to take place in late July in Washington, D.C., and will be an opportunity for both sides to exchange views from a "strategic perspective," as well as to boost cooperation between the two countries, added Qin. The mechanism is "an important step in the development of U.S.-China relations in a new era," he said. Hu and Obama's Telephone Conversation -------------- ¶8. President Hu and President Obama exchanged views on bilateral relations, as well as on North Korea in their most recent telephone conversation, confirmed Qin. Both agreed to keep in close touch on the issue, and to "coordinate and cooperate" with the other relevant parties to work towards peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea -------------- ¶9. China's policy on North Korea is "clear," said Qin, when asked to comment on two recently published editorials in the Washington Post and the New York Times claiming that North Korea's actions were at the behest of China, and that North Korea's true intent is to send a strong message to the United States. He added that China continues to call on all relevant parties to remain "cool-headed and restrained," and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the issue through "dialogue and consultation." Qin had no additional information to add when asked to comment on reports that Kim Jong-il's third son, Kim Jong-un, had been named as the next leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). ¶10. When asked to comment about the trial of two American journalists detained in the DPRK, Qin replied that this question "should not be referred to the MFA." Visit of Todd Stern -------------- ¶11. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern will visit China soon, confirmed Qin, and will address the increasingly important issue of climate change during his visit. China is keen to "expand communication and exchange" on this issue, added Qin, which represents a "new area for boosting cooperation" between the United States and China. When asked to comment on whether or not China would commit to a stringent reduction in emissions, Qin referred the journalist to "competent authorities." BRIC Summit -------------- ¶12. China, India, Brazil and Russia are playing a "greater role" on the international stage, and share "common interests and concerns," said Qin when asked about the upcoming Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC) summit to be held in Russia in June. When asked why China has not confirmed the date, proposed by Russia, of June 16 for the summit, Qin replied that details about the summit "will be released in due course." Malaysia Visit -------------- ¶13. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia visited China yesterday and met with Premier Wen Jiabao, said Qin. Four cooperative agreements were signed, the most important of which is a plan for strategic cooperation between China and Malaysia, a plan which charts the course for wide-ranging "mutual benefit" between BEIJING 00001495 003 OF 003 the two countries, added Qin. When asked whether China and Malaysia were considering using the Renminbi (RMB) and Ringgit to conduct bilateral trade, Qin said that given the global financial crisis, China believes that it should "join hands" with Malaysia to "jointly fend off" the negative impact of the crisis. He added that China is willing to promote this currency initiative and has "an open attitude." Afghan Foreign Minister to Visit -------------- ¶14. Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta of Afghanistan will visit China at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi June 9-12, 2009, announced Qin. China expects to exchange views on bilateral and regional issues with Foreign Minister Spanta, as well as to further promote the development of Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts, he added. Economic Dialogue with Japan -------------- ¶15. The second round of the China-Japan high-level economic dialogue will be held soon, said Qin, and represents "an important step towards building strategic and regional relations." China hopes the dialogue will "enhance understanding and boost cooperation" between China and Japan on a range of issues including the global financial crisis and protection of the environment. Air France 447 -------------- ¶16. Qin expressed "deep condolences" to all victims, family and friends of those affected by the recent Air France 447 crash, and confirmed that nine Chinese citizens were among the passengers on the flight. Upon learning of the event, the MFA "immediately instructed" its embassies in France and Brazil to contact relevant authorities and ascertain relevant details, as well as to inform families of the victims. The MFA and Chinese missions will stay in close contact with the governments of Brazil and France and have set up a consular protection emergency hotline, added the spokesperson. PICCUTA