Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING1757
2009-06-25 11:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
JUNE 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GOOGLE, FISHERMEN IN INDONESIA,
how-toVZCZCXRO0917 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHTRO RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #1757/01 1761101 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251101Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4834 RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 1991 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0876 RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 0065 RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 0145 RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 1627 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 4885 RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001757
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL PHUM PGOV PHSA PBTS EINT EPET ETRD BM CE
CH, JA, ID, IN, IR, KN, KS, SW, TW
SUBJECT: JUNE 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GOOGLE, FISHERMEN IN INDONESIA,
LIU XIAOBO
BEIJING 00001757 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001757
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL PHUM PGOV PHSA PBTS EINT EPET ETRD BM CE
CH, JA, ID, IN, IR, KN, KS, SW, TW
SUBJECT: JUNE 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GOOGLE, FISHERMEN IN INDONESIA,
LIU XIAOBO
BEIJING 00001757 001.2 OF 002
1. Key points at the June 25 MFA press briefing:
-- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Qin Gang stated that
recently Google was spreading "lewd and vulgar content," and as an
internet enterprise operating in China, Google should "earnestly"
abide by Chinese law. All punitive measures taken by relevant
authorities were conducted strictly according to Chinese law.
-- China expressed its "strong displeasure" over Chinese fishermen
seized by Indonesia in the South China Sea and urged Indonesia to
release the fishermen at the earliest possible date.
-- Asked about reports that dissident and Charter 08 signatory Liu
Xiaobo had been arrested, Qin said that this case was not a matter
for the MFA to comment. However, Qin noted that China was a country
"ruled by law" with an "independent judicial system."
Official Block of Google?
--------------
2. It was the "common responsibility" for governments around the
world to protect youth from online vulgar and pornographic content,
and China found that recently Google had spread "lewd and vulgar
content," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang at the June 25
regularly scheduled MFA press briefing. Relevant authorities had
summoned those responsible and urged them to remove objectionable
content. As an internet enterprise operating in China, Google
should "earnestly" abide by Chinese law, and all punitive measures
taken by relevant authorities were conducted strictly according to
Chinese law.
Liu Xiaobo
--------------
3. Asked about reports that dissident and Charter 08 signatory Liu
Xiaobo had been arrested, Qin said that this case was not a matter
for the MFA to comment. However, Qin noted that China was a country
"ruled by law" with an "independent judicial system."
Chinese Fishermen Held by Indonesia
--------------
4. On June 20, eight Chinese fishing boats working in "traditional
Chinese fishing grounds" in the South China Sea were seized and held
by Indonesia. China attached great importance to its sovereignty
and the safety of Chinese citizens, and Qin said that the MFA and
the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta had immediately expressed their
"strong displeasure" over the incident and urged Indonesia to
release the fishermen at the earliest possible date. Qin said that
all countries in the South China Sea region should use dialogue and
consultation to ensure safety and stability in the area.
North Korea
--------------
5. Asked about reports that North Korea would not return to the
negotiating table, Qin said that safeguarding peace and stability
and achieving denuclearization was very important and that China
hoped all parties would make contributions to achieve
denuclearization and peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Qin noted that China would continue its "unremitting efforts" to
that effect. Qin said China was willing to work with other
countries to push North Korea back to the track of dialogue and that
mutual trust was the key to progress on denuclearization. However
as a responsible member of the international community, China
believed that the relevant UN Security Council resolution clearly
stated that all parties should not take measures that impact the
normal activities and livelihood of the North Korean people. Asked
about reports that Kim Jong-un visited China and was granted a
meeting with President Hu Jintao but was not given a meeting at the
MFA, Qin said he had no information on any such visit. Asked if
North Korean Foreign Minister Paik Nam-sun visited China June 13 to
meet with PLA leaders, Qin noted that he did not have the meeting
schedule of PLA leaders and referred such questions to the Defense
Ministry.
Clinton-Yang Call
--------------
BEIJING 00001757 002.3 OF 002
6. Qin noted that Secretary Clinton and FM Yang had a phone call in
which they exchanged views on items of common interest including
bilateral relations and North Korea.
Chinese Diplomat Expelled?
--------------
7. Asked about reports that a Chinese diplomat had been expelled
from Sweden for spying on Uighurs, Qin noted that China required
its diplomats to follow the Vienna Convention, observe national laws
and promote bilateral relations. Qin said that China hoped foreign
diplomats would follow the same customs, but noted that for those
diplomats who violate China's laws, they are "of course not welcome"
in China.
Burma Oil Deal Signed
--------------
8. Asked about the recent visit of a delegation from Burma, Qin
noted that an agreement was signed for an oil pipeline and that a
statement had been released with further details of the project.
India Trade Protection
--------------
9. Qin said he was not aware of any protectionist measures taken by
the Indian Government, however China "always opposed" trade
protectionism. Qin noted that Chinese products were both
inexpensive and of good quality and would "bring benefit to the
Indian people," while trade barriers would "undermine the interests
of the Indian people."
Visits
--------------
10. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda would visit China
July 1-2. Qin noted that Indonesia and China had a "strategic
partnership" and that bilateral trade had reached $31.2 billion in
2008. Qin said that the upcoming visit would allow the two sides to
enhance their strategic partnership. He said that China also hoped
to use the visit to "properly resolve" the dispute over the seized
Chinese fishermen in the South China Sea.
11. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama would visit
China from July 1-5. Qin noted that China and Sri Lanka had enjoyed
diplomatic relations for fifty-two years and that the two countries
had deep cooperation on many levels and that since it was mutually
beneficial, China supported the further development of bilateral
relations. China also supported efforts at national reconciliation
within Sri Lanka and that China was willing to play a "consequential
and positive role" in these efforts.
12. Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of the Republic of Liberia
would visit China from July 5-11. Hungarian Foreign Minister Pter
Balzs would visit China from July 2-5.
PICUTTA
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL PHUM PGOV PHSA PBTS EINT EPET ETRD BM CE
CH, JA, ID, IN, IR, KN, KS, SW, TW
SUBJECT: JUNE 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GOOGLE, FISHERMEN IN INDONESIA,
LIU XIAOBO
BEIJING 00001757 001.2 OF 002
1. Key points at the June 25 MFA press briefing:
-- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Qin Gang stated that
recently Google was spreading "lewd and vulgar content," and as an
internet enterprise operating in China, Google should "earnestly"
abide by Chinese law. All punitive measures taken by relevant
authorities were conducted strictly according to Chinese law.
-- China expressed its "strong displeasure" over Chinese fishermen
seized by Indonesia in the South China Sea and urged Indonesia to
release the fishermen at the earliest possible date.
-- Asked about reports that dissident and Charter 08 signatory Liu
Xiaobo had been arrested, Qin said that this case was not a matter
for the MFA to comment. However, Qin noted that China was a country
"ruled by law" with an "independent judicial system."
Official Block of Google?
--------------
2. It was the "common responsibility" for governments around the
world to protect youth from online vulgar and pornographic content,
and China found that recently Google had spread "lewd and vulgar
content," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang at the June 25
regularly scheduled MFA press briefing. Relevant authorities had
summoned those responsible and urged them to remove objectionable
content. As an internet enterprise operating in China, Google
should "earnestly" abide by Chinese law, and all punitive measures
taken by relevant authorities were conducted strictly according to
Chinese law.
Liu Xiaobo
--------------
3. Asked about reports that dissident and Charter 08 signatory Liu
Xiaobo had been arrested, Qin said that this case was not a matter
for the MFA to comment. However, Qin noted that China was a country
"ruled by law" with an "independent judicial system."
Chinese Fishermen Held by Indonesia
--------------
4. On June 20, eight Chinese fishing boats working in "traditional
Chinese fishing grounds" in the South China Sea were seized and held
by Indonesia. China attached great importance to its sovereignty
and the safety of Chinese citizens, and Qin said that the MFA and
the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta had immediately expressed their
"strong displeasure" over the incident and urged Indonesia to
release the fishermen at the earliest possible date. Qin said that
all countries in the South China Sea region should use dialogue and
consultation to ensure safety and stability in the area.
North Korea
--------------
5. Asked about reports that North Korea would not return to the
negotiating table, Qin said that safeguarding peace and stability
and achieving denuclearization was very important and that China
hoped all parties would make contributions to achieve
denuclearization and peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Qin noted that China would continue its "unremitting efforts" to
that effect. Qin said China was willing to work with other
countries to push North Korea back to the track of dialogue and that
mutual trust was the key to progress on denuclearization. However
as a responsible member of the international community, China
believed that the relevant UN Security Council resolution clearly
stated that all parties should not take measures that impact the
normal activities and livelihood of the North Korean people. Asked
about reports that Kim Jong-un visited China and was granted a
meeting with President Hu Jintao but was not given a meeting at the
MFA, Qin said he had no information on any such visit. Asked if
North Korean Foreign Minister Paik Nam-sun visited China June 13 to
meet with PLA leaders, Qin noted that he did not have the meeting
schedule of PLA leaders and referred such questions to the Defense
Ministry.
Clinton-Yang Call
--------------
BEIJING 00001757 002.3 OF 002
6. Qin noted that Secretary Clinton and FM Yang had a phone call in
which they exchanged views on items of common interest including
bilateral relations and North Korea.
Chinese Diplomat Expelled?
--------------
7. Asked about reports that a Chinese diplomat had been expelled
from Sweden for spying on Uighurs, Qin noted that China required
its diplomats to follow the Vienna Convention, observe national laws
and promote bilateral relations. Qin said that China hoped foreign
diplomats would follow the same customs, but noted that for those
diplomats who violate China's laws, they are "of course not welcome"
in China.
Burma Oil Deal Signed
--------------
8. Asked about the recent visit of a delegation from Burma, Qin
noted that an agreement was signed for an oil pipeline and that a
statement had been released with further details of the project.
India Trade Protection
--------------
9. Qin said he was not aware of any protectionist measures taken by
the Indian Government, however China "always opposed" trade
protectionism. Qin noted that Chinese products were both
inexpensive and of good quality and would "bring benefit to the
Indian people," while trade barriers would "undermine the interests
of the Indian people."
Visits
--------------
10. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda would visit China
July 1-2. Qin noted that Indonesia and China had a "strategic
partnership" and that bilateral trade had reached $31.2 billion in
2008. Qin said that the upcoming visit would allow the two sides to
enhance their strategic partnership. He said that China also hoped
to use the visit to "properly resolve" the dispute over the seized
Chinese fishermen in the South China Sea.
11. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama would visit
China from July 1-5. Qin noted that China and Sri Lanka had enjoyed
diplomatic relations for fifty-two years and that the two countries
had deep cooperation on many levels and that since it was mutually
beneficial, China supported the further development of bilateral
relations. China also supported efforts at national reconciliation
within Sri Lanka and that China was willing to play a "consequential
and positive role" in these efforts.
12. Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of the Republic of Liberia
would visit China from July 5-11. Hungarian Foreign Minister Pter
Balzs would visit China from July 2-5.
PICUTTA