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