JUNE 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK, CLIMATE CHANGE, GITMO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001579 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV AF CH GJ JA KN KS SENV SUBJECT: JUNE 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK, CLIMATE CHANGE, GITMO UIGHURS, AFGHANISTAN, INDIA, SCO SUMMIT ¶1. Key points at the June 11 MFA press briefing: -- The UN Security Council (UNSC) should adopt a "responsible and balanced resolution" to promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and safeguard peace and stability in the region. -- China had a "positive and responsible attitude" toward climate change, but China was a developing country whose acceptance of binding or compulsory targets was not possible. -- China was opposed to any third country accepting the Uighurs detained at Guantanamo Bay and urged the United States to abide by its international obligations on counterterrorism, stop handing over terrorists to third countries and expatriate the Uighurs to China. -- China was willing to deepen its support for Afghanistan's reconstruction "within China's capabilities." -- China "cannot accept India's accusations" regarding Chinese military incursions into India and hoped that "relevant figures and press in India would take a responsible attitude to benefit bilateral relations." -- China hoped the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit would enhance mutual trust and boost security, economic and trade cooperation between member states. DPRK -------------- ¶2. The UN Security Council should adopt a "responsible and balanced resolution" to promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and safeguard peace and stability in the region, said spokesperson Qin Gang at the June 11 regularly scheduled Ministry of Foreign Affairs press briefing. China was taking part in UN Security Council consultations with a "responsible and earnest attitude." North Korea's May 25 nuclear test was in contravention to the will of the international community, and China's position on the nuclear test was clear. Regarding the 60th anniversary of China-DPRK relations, Qin said the two countries had "normal state-to-state relations" based on the principle of peaceful co-existence. Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met South Korean Six-Party Talks envoy Wi Sung-lac June 9, and the two agreed to make joint efforts to bring North Korea back to Six-Party Talks and to strengthen cooperation to safeguard stability on the Korean Peninsula. Climate Change -------------- ¶3. Asked about Japan's announcement that it would reduce emissions 15 percent by 2020, Qin said Japan's new target was only two percent more than its previous pledge and far from a level necessary to combat climate change. Noting China's "positive and responsible attitude" toward climate change, Qin said developed countries should take the lead and set a target of at least 40 percent emission reductions from 1990 levels. Developed countries should also provide technical and capacity-building support to developing countries. China took the issue of climate change seriously and would contribute to efforts to increase energy conservation and reduce emissions. However, China was still a developing country whose present task was to develop its economy, eliminate poverty and raise the standard of living of its people. Given this important task, an increase in China's emissions was "natural" and China's acceptance of binding or compulsory targets was not possible. Guantanamo Uighurs -------------- ¶4. Asked about reports that Palau would accept the 17 Uighur detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Qin said China was opposed to any third country accepting the Uighurs. The Uighur terror suspects were members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM),a group designated by the UN 1267 Committee as a terrorist organization. China urged the United States to abide by its international obligations on counterterrorism, stop handing over terrorists to third countries and expatriate the Uighurs to China. Visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta -------------- ¶5. Asked about Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta's June BEIJING 00001579 002 OF 002 10 visit to China, Qin noted the conclusion of an agreement on technical cooperation and highlighted "remarkable increases in bilateral trade and people-to-people exchanges." China would continue to promote peaceful reconciliation and was willing to deepen its support for Afghanistan's reconstruction "within China's capabilities." Qin described China and Afghanistan as "close neighbors" and noted that strong bilateral ties served the fundamental interests of both countries. China-India Relations -------------- ¶6. Asked about reports in the Indian media of increasingly frequent Chinese military incursions into India, Qin said that China "cannot accept India's accusations." Noting that China and India had not demarcated their border, Qin stated that resolving the border dispute was one of the ten strategies set by leaders of the two countries to develop bilateral relations. China supported the "fair and respectful resolution of the border dispute." China hoped that "relevant figures and press in India would take a responsible attitude to benefit bilateral relations." SCO Summit -------------- ¶7. In response to a question on China's goals for the June 15-16 SCO summit in Yekaterinburg, Qin stated that China hoped the summit would enhance mutual trust and boost security, economic and trade cooperation between member states. He said that the current financial crisis had heightened the need for such cooperation. Visits -------------- ¶8. Prime Minister of Grenada Tillman Thomas will visit China June 15-21. PICCUTA