Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING1579
2009-06-11 09:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL PGOV AF CH GJ JA KN KS SENV 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
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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

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