Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING1495
2009-06-04 23:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

JUNE 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY CLINTON'S TIANANMEN

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM EFIN ETRD SENV CH KN KS JP BR IN 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001495 

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TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EFIN ETRD SENV CH KN KS JP BR IN
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SUBJECT: JUNE 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY CLINTON'S TIANANMEN
MESSAGE, TIANANMEN MASSACRE ANNIVERSARY, STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC
DIALOGUE, VISIT OF TODD STERN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001495

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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