SEPTEMBER 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: VISA POLICY, AMBASSADOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002535 AMEMBASSY JAKARTA AMEMBASSY CANBERRA AMEMBASSY SEOUL AMEMBASY TOKYO AMEMBASSY MOSCOW AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST AMEMBASSY BANGUI AMEMBASSY YEREVAN AMINTSECT HAVANA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK NSC WASHDC CIA WASHDC DOE WASHDC SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC CH AS RS CO KN TU SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: VISA POLICY, AMBASSADOR BOSWORTH, AMERICAN JOURNALISTS RELEASED FROM NK, REBIYA KADEER ¶1. Key points at the September 3 MFA press briefing: -- In regards to the denial of visas to the producers of a film regarding the earthquake in Sichuan, China stated the importance of an individual country's sovereign right to determine its own policy of visa issuance. -- U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Stephen Bosworth is in China to meet with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on North Korean issues. -- China sees Rebiya Kadeer as a criminal and ethnic separatist who is only working to undermine China. VISA POLICY IS A SOVEREIGN RIGHT -------------- ¶2. In regards to the denial of visas to the producers of a film regarding the earthquake in Sichuan, China stated the importance of an individual country's sovereign right to determine its own policy of visa issuance, said spokesperson Jiang Yu at the September 3 regularly scheduled MFA press conference. No comment would be made on any individual's visa application, and China will continue to provide visas for people who seek to enter for "normal activities," she added. JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE -------------- ¶3. In response to question as to why China has not yet answered an invitation by Australia and the United States to participate in a joint military exercise, Jiang referred the questioner to the Ministry of Defense. VISIT TO CHINA OF AMBASSADOR STEPHEN BOSWORTH -------------- ¶4. Jiang said U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Stephen Bosworth is visiting China September 3-4 and will meet with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei. The two sides will exchange views on the North Korean nuclear issue, Six Party Talks, and other issues. VISIT TO CHINA BY NORTH KOREAN VICE FOREIGN MINISTER KIM YONG-IL -------------- -------------- ¶5. North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong-Il is continuing his visit to China and is now in Jiangsu province. His visit will continue through September 5-6 in Beijing, where he will exchange views with relevant PRC officials on bilateral relations and common interests. RIO TINTO -------------- ¶6. In a question as to the status of the Rio Tinto case, Jiang stated the Chinese judicial authority works "according to law" and the Chinese - Australia consular agreement. She stated that China hopes that the Australian side can join China to respect and accommodate each other's concerns. AMERICAN REPORTERS RELEASED FROM NORTH KOREA -------------- ¶7. Jiang refused to confirm whether the two American reporters recently released from North Korea were caught on Chinese soil or not. When further pressed, she stated she had been very clear in her answers on previous occasions. She said local authorities carried out the investigation. REBIYA KADEER -------------- ¶8. China's position on Rebiya Kadeer is that she is a criminal and BEIJING 00002535 002 OF 002 an ethnic separatist. Jiang stated that foreign observers should "recognize her true nature," that she spreads lies and rumors to attack China, and her accusations are not "worthy of comment." When asked for a response to former Australian Prime Minister John Howard's comment that "Chinese diplomacy is closing," she said that China promotes peace and stability and any individual who supports Kadeer is "disgraceful," and puts his or her own image at stake. INDONESIAN EARTHQUAKE -------------- ¶9. Recent reports show no Chinese casualties in today's Indonesian earthquake. China expresses its condolences to the victims, Jiang said, and she further stated that the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia has launched an emergency response system to assist Indonesian authorities to help any victims. XINJIANG PROTESTS -------------- ¶10. Jiang noted no recent reports of violence but stated that the PRC is competent to handle any situation. CHINESE AND FRENCH RELATIONS -------------- ¶11. China and France are resuming development of respect and accommodation of each other, and Jiang expressed China's hope for celebrating in 2010 the two countries' 45th anniversary of bilateral relations. She offered no information on future high-level exchanges between the two countries. G-20 -------------- ¶12. Official Chinese attendance to the G-20 in Pittsburgh has not yet been determined. Topics to be discussed are also still being determined, but Jiang said they are certain to include addressing the economic crisis and possible solutions. AGREEMENT WITH CUBA -------------- ¶13. Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo is currently visiting Cuba and meeting with President Raul Castro. The delegation has already released a report on the visit, but Jiang provided no further details concerning a Chinese loan to Cuba of approximately $600 million. CHINA ANNOUNCES COMING VISITS -------------- ¶14. Upcoming visits to China include: President of the Central African Republic Frangois Boziz Yangouvonda from September 9 - 13, Romanian Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu September 7 - 10, Nepali Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala September 8 - 13, and Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian September 10 - 14 September. HUNTSMAN