JUNE 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GOOGLE, FISHERMEN IN INDONESIA,

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