JULY 9 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: XINJIANG UNREST, RIO TINTO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001927

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC CH AS RS TU

SUBJECT: JULY 9 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: XINJIANG UNREST, RIO TINTO
ESPIONAGE CASE, CHINESE BUSINESSMEN ARRESTED IN RUSSIA


1. Key points at the July 9 MFA press briefing:

-- Regarding the events in Xinjiang, while current casualty
figures were not available, no foreign casualties had been
recorded.

-- Regarding Turkey's proposal to discuss the events in
Xinjiang before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),
the spokesperson noted that as this was an internal Chinese
matter, there was no reason to seek UNSC discussion.

-- Regarding the recent arrest in Shanghai of four employees
of Australian mining company Rio Tinto, the spokesperson noted
that there was sufficient evidence that the accused -
including Stern Hu, an Australian citizen - had stolen state
secrets, gravely harming China's economic interests and
national security.

-- The spokesperson downplayed speculation that the arrests
were payback for the recent failed deal between Chinalco and
Rio Tinto, emphasizing that this was an independent judicial
matter and that politicizing the issue served no purpose and
would be bad for Australia.


Xinjiang Unrest: Casualties, Turkey's Proposal
-------------- -


2. Regarding the violence in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region,
MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang noted at the July 9 regular MFA
press briefing that no current figures were available for the
number of total deaths, though he added that there had been no
foreign casualties thus far. Regarding Turkey's proposal to
discuss the events in Xinjiang before the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC),the spokesperson noted that as this
was an internal Chinese matter, there was no reason to seek
UNSC discussion. The spokesperson added that the unrest in
Xinjiang was driven by organized, violent forces and asked
that the international community respect China's territorial
sovereignty and national security and cooperate with China to
counter the evil forces of extremism, separatism and terrorism
rather than enforce double standards.

Xinjiang Unrest: No Comment on Kadeer and Tohti
-------------- --


3. The spokesperson was asked about comments he had made at
the 7 July regular MFA press briefing, in which he claimed
Chinese authorities possessed evidence that Rebiya Kadeer was
responsible for the unrest in Xinjiang, urging the
international community not to support her separatist
activities. When asked if China would seek to work with the
United States (where Kadeer resided) to pursue extradition or
other legal action against Kadeer, the spokesperson offered no
comment. The spokesperson also provided no comment when asked
about the reported recent arrest of Ilham Tohti, an ethnic-
Uighur professor at the Central University for Nationalities
in Beijing.

Rio Tinto Espionage Case: Confirmation
--------------


4. Regarding the recent arrest in Shanghai of four employees
of Australian mining company Rio Tinto, the spokesperson noted
that there was sufficient evidence that the accused -
including Stern Hu, an Australian citizen - had stolen state
secrets, gravely harming China's economic interests and
national security. In response to questions of whether these
arrests were payback for the recent failed deal between
Chinalco and Rio Tinto, the spokesperson emphasized that this
was an independent judicial matter and that politicizing the
issue served no purpose and would be bad for Australia.


Rio Tinto Espionage Case: No Further Comment
--------------


5. The spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding
when Hu would be granted access to Australian diplomats or to
a lawyer. (Note: subsequent press reporting from 9 July
indicated that Australian consular officials would be allowed
to visit Hu the following day.) When asked whether the
reported recent arrest of a Shougang steel company executive
on charges of commercial espionage was related to the Rio
arrests, the spokesperson offered no comment.

BEIJING 00001927 002 OF 002



Chinese Businessmen Detained in Russia
--------------


6. In response to a question about Chinese businessmen
arrested in Russia, the spokesperson noted that China had not
yet received official notification of the arrests from Russia,
but that China would work to ensure the businessmen's
interests were represented. The spokesperson added a reminder
to all Chinese abroad to respect local laws.
GOLDBERG