SEPTEMBER 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GUANTANAMO UIGHURS, INDIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002597 NSC WASHDC CIA WASHDC DOE WASHDC SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC CH AS KN IR IN JP LG UP MP YI ZI SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GUANTANAMO UIGHURS, INDIA BORDER, UAE AIRCRAFT ¶1. Key points at the September 10 MFA press briefing: -- China opposes any country accepting Uighur detainees after their release from Guantanamo. The individuals should be repatriated to China as soon as possible. -- China and India were making joint efforts to "safeguard peace and tranquility" along their common border. -- The Indian detainment of the UAE aircraft originally bound for China was a "technical issue" between the UAE and India. -- The date for the trilateral meeting between China, South Korea, and Japan had not been set. -- China would continue to "facilitate" the work of foreign journalists in Xinxiang, but journalists should respect the law and the police. -- China hoped relevant parties would step up diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. -- China hoped parties at the World Economic Forum in Dalian would work to address the financial crisis. Uighurs in Guantanamo -------------- ¶2. At the September 10 session of the regularly scheduled Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) press briefing spokesperson Jiang Yu said that China's position on Uighur detainees at Guantanamo is "consistent and clear." China opposes any nation accepting the detainees after release from U.S. custody, and holds that the individuals should be repatriated to China "as soon as possible." Sino-Indian Border -------------- ¶3. Asked about media reports of Chinese military personnel crossing the border into India, Jiang responded that both the MFA and the Ministry of National Defense (MND) had previously stated that China and India were making "joint efforts" to ensure "peace and tranquility" along their shared border in order to avoid damage to bilateral relations. The two sides were working toward a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution. Aircraft Detained in India -------------- ¶4. Asked about the United Arab Emirates aircraft detained in India on September 6 before reaching its intended destination in China, Jiang answered that this was a "technical issue" between the UAE and India. Trilateral Meeting -------------- ¶5. Jiang said that no date had been set for the trilateral meeting between China, South Korea, and Japan. Once confirmed, a specific date would be announced to the public. Journalists in Urumqi -------------- ¶6. Jiang said the MFA was "not concerned" about reports of a confrontation between police and Hong Kong journalists in Urumqi because China continued to provide "facilitations" to the press. China maintained a "principled position" towards foreign journalists. However, the press corps had an obligation to respect both the law and the police who were "just doing their work." ¶7. A Hong Kong journalist present at the press conference claimed that he had recently been "beaten up" by local police in Urumqi and asked what type of "certification" was needed to report on events in Xinjiang. Jiang responded that she was aware of his "keen interest" but could offer no further comment. Events in Urumqi were a domestic matter and questions should thus be addressed to the local authorities. The matter had been "properly settled," and local authorities had released "plenty of information" for those who wish to follow up, Jiang added. Iran -------------- ¶8. When asked about Iran's proposal for renewed talks on the nuclear issue, Jiang responded that China hoped that relevant parties would BEIJING 00002597 002 OF 002 step up diplomatic efforts and move towards a "proper settlement." World Economic Forum in Dalian -------------- ¶9. Approximately 80 countries would attend the upcoming World Economic Forum in Dalian, Jiang said. High-level officials from Latvia, Singapore, Ukraine, Mauritius, Serbia, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe were among those who would attend. China hoped that the delegates would work to revitalize economic growth and hold in-depth discussions on how to address the current financial crisis. There was a need to send a "stronger signal" in this regard, Jiang added. African Union Commission Visit -------------- ¶10. Jiang was unsure whether China's special envoy to Sudan, Liu Guijin, would meet with the chair of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping during his current visit to China. HUNTSMAN