JULY 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: XINJIANG UNREST, THREATS OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001992 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC CH AS RS TU SUBJECT: JULY 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: XINJIANG UNREST, THREATS OF TERRORIST REPRISALS, RIO TINTO ESPIONAGE CASE ¶1. Key points at the July 14 MFA press briefing: -- The spokesperson emphasized the fact that since "most of the dead" were Han and a "small number" were from ethnic minorities in the recent July 5 incident in Urumqi, there was "no such thing as ethnic genocide." -- When asked about threats by extremists, the spokesperson said that, China would "keep a close eye on developments" and make joint efforts through bilateral and multilateral channels to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of overseas Chinese institutions and people. -- China took "prompt measures" to facilitate reporting by foreign journalists in Xinjiang. Qin hoped the reporting activities of foreign journalists would abide by Chinese laws and local regulations, and not create "destabilizing elements" through reporting activities. -- Authorities took measures in accordance with law to detain the members of staff of Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, and because it was an investigation, some "related" people needed to be investigated. The "majority" of foreign companies had positive comments and evaluations of China's investment environment, said Qin. Xinjiang Unrest: Accusations of Ethnic Genocide -------------- -- ¶2. At the regularly scheduled July 14 MFA press briefing, MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang denied categorically that the incident was "ethnic . In this incident "most of the dead" were Han and a "small number" from ethnic minorities, Qin noted. The incident was a "highly violent crime" organized and orchestrated by three forces (i.e. terrorism, religious extremism and separatism) in and outside of China, said Qin. By its nature, the violence was "not an ethnic issue, not a religious issue, and not an issue concerning human rights." Qin insisted that the purpose was to sabotage China's unity and ethnic solidarity. Law breakers' beating, smashing, looting and arson sabotaged and hurt the lives, stability and social stability in Urumqi. The Chinese government took "decisive measures" in accordance with law to safeguard the dignity of law and protect the rights and interests of Chinese people of all ethnic groups. In the Chinese "big family," all ethnic groups were equal and enjoyed the rights and interests given by the law, said Qin. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang including the Uighur people had "enjoyed a 
good life" there and their religious beliefs, customs, and cultural heritages "had been protected, respected, and inherited (sic)" there. Citing statistics, Qin further emphasized that from 1949 to 2009 the Uighur population in Xinjiang had grown from 3.29 million to nearly 10 million. China hoped relevant countries could recognize the nature of the incident, respect the facts, understand and support the efforts made by the Chinese government to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity as well as maintain ethnic solidarity and sociability. Threats of Holy War and Terrorist Attacks against China -------------- -------------- ¶3. China would "keep a close eye on developments" and make joint efforts through bilateral and multilateral channels to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of overseas Chinese institutions and Chinese people. Terrorist threats to security in non-traditional areas had been a "common challenge" to China and other countries and China's government had put "more emphasis" on the safety of the overseas Chinese institutions and people. China reminded overseas Chinese to pay close attention to their surroundings and raise their awareness. China had "made its position clear" on the incident, which was aimed to separate China and sabotage ethnic unity, said Qin. Advocating conflict or confrontation between ethnic groups or religions was not good for the stability and peace of the world and "not appropriate." China hoped Muslim countries and Muslims would "recognize the nature" of the July 5 incident. If they had a "clear idea about the true nature" of the incident they would "all understand" China's policies concerning religious issues, and the measures China had taken. Relations with Muslim countries had "a very solid foundation," derived from mutual help and consideration of major concerns. China hoped the relationship between China and Muslim countries could develop by joint efforts based on equality and mutual benefit and non-interference in China's internal affairs. China's government was "firmly" against terrorism in all its manifestations and would like to "join hands" with other countries to enhance cooperation to jointly fight against terrorism. BEIJING 00001992 002 OF 003 Treatment of Journalists in Urumqi -------------- ¶4. China took "prompt measures" to facilitate reporting by foreign journalists in Urumqi. Their purpose was to help journalists produce "objective and accurate" reports unlike the "misleading reports" from the March 14 2008 incident in Lhasa, said Qin. China hoped in the future such reports could be "avoided." In response to a specific incident where journalists had been detained by local police, Qin maintained that some of the foreign journalists there had "disregarded advice" from Chinese authorities and caused drastic actions by the local people which harmed the safety of law enforcement. Qin hoped the reporting activities of foreign journalists would abide by Chinese laws and local regulations, and not create "destabilizing elements" through reporting activities. Rabiya Kadeer -------------- ¶5. Qin equated Kadeer and the Dalai Lama, as "the same," engaged in activities that "sabotaged national unity and ethnic solidarity." China "firmly opposed" any foreign countries or foreign forces indulging in or providing support to the three forces, including the East Turkistan forces, and "strongly urged" such support to cease. "Facts have proved" that in recent years these forces had engaged in activities to sabotage China's security, he added. Rio Tinto Espionage Case -------------- ¶6. In response to reports that additional individuals were being investigated, Qin noted that authorities took measures in accordance with law to detain the members of staff of Australian mining giant Rio Tinto. Because it was a criminal investigation, some "related" people needed to be investigated. Qin was not aware of specifics in case, and reemphasized that it was an independent judicial matter handled according to law. Staff members of Rio Tinto stole Chinese state sec rets and sabotaged the economic security and economic interests of China, he maintained. The Chinese government protected the legitimate rights and interests of foreign corporations in China, but at the same time foreign corporations had obligations to respect and abide by the rules and regulations as well as laws in China. Chinese government took measures in accordance with law, but this did not mean it would restrain the activities and cooperation of other corporations. China had attracted many investments and was positioned on the top of developing countries on capital attraction for 17 years, and provided opportunities for operations from foreign countries. Qin believed the "majority" of foreign companies had positive comments and evaluations of China's investment environment. DPRK: Sanctions, 60th Anniversary -------------- ¶7. Qin had "not heard the remarks" by Chinese Deputy Ambassador to the UN Liu Zhenmin, regarding new sanctions against the DPRK and wondered if such information was from a "credible source." He reemphasized that the Chinese government "always firmly" implemented UN resolutions adding that the DPRK issue "would not be an exception." In response to a question about the 60th Anniversary and year of friendship between China and the DPRK, Qin simply responded, "some commemorating activities will be held." India and Pakistan -------------- ¶8. China was "happy to see" India and Pakistan handle their disputes by dialogue and negotiation through their meeting on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit, said Qin. This would improve their relationship and was also good for peace, stability, and common development of South Asia. Mental Health Reform -------------- ¶9. Regarding reports that Chinese petitioners and troublemakers were being put in mental hospitals as a form of imprisonment, Qin responded that it was the "first time he had heard about this type of question," and he was "not aware of the specific situation." Nonetheless, he was certain that relevant authorities would deal with relevant cases, but if disputes between peoples, peoples and BEIJING 00001992 003 OF 003 communities arose the government would try to ease conflict and dispute according to law. Visits and Meetings -------------- ¶10. The Fifteenth summit of the Non-Aligned Movement would be held from July 11-16 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and Chinese VFM He Yafei would head the Chinese delegation to the meeting. In response to a query about the July 27-28 Strategic and Economic Dialogue, Qin noted that China and the US would exchange views on China-US relations and strategic and longstanding issues to enhance mutual trust and mutual beneficial cooperation, to promote positive, comprehensive, constructive partnership. Under the present circumstances, China believed that how to address the deepening and spreading of the financial crisis and promote utter recovery would become major topics of the SNED and the economic dialogue. As for the strategic dialogue, China and the U.S. would exchange views on bilateral issues and regional issues of common interest, Qin noted. GOLDBERG