SEPTEMBER 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK TRIPS, TIBET ISSUE,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002646

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS MNUC CH KN IR IN JP AF

SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK TRIPS, TIBET ISSUE,
INDIA BORDER, IRAN NUCLEAR ISSUE


1. Key points at the September 15 MFA press briefing:

-- The spokesperson had no information about reported trips to the
DPRK by either State Councilor Dai Bingguo or Premier Wen Jiabao.

-- China firmly opposed foreign officials meeting with the Dalai
Lama and opposed the Dalai Lama's engagement in "separatist
activities in any country or under any name."

-- The spokesperson had not heard reports that two Indian border
guards had suffered gunshot wounds while on duty near the
India-Chinese border.

-- Iran's recent agreement to meet with representatives of six
countries was "an important step" that was "welcomed by China."

Leadership Trips to DPRK
--------------


2. At the regularly scheduled MFA press conference spokesperson
Jiang Yu said she had "no information" about rumors that State
Councilor Dai Bingguo would travel to the DPRK. Regarding reports
that Prime Minister Wen Jiabao would travel to North Korea, Jiang
said that she had "no information to release." China attached great
importance to friendly relations and cooperation with neighboring
countries, said Jiang. China also maintained "close friendly
exchanges" with neighboring countries, added the spokesperson.


Dalai Lama Meetings with USG
--------------


3. Asked about reports that members of the Obama Administration
planned to meet with the Dalai Lama, Jiang said that "China's
position on Tibet was "clear and consistent -- China firmly opposed
foreign officials meeting with "Dalai." China also opposed the
Dalai Lama's engagement in "separatist activities in any country or
under any name." China was further opposed to "any foreign forces"
using the Tibet issue to interfere in China's internal affairs. The
United States Government was "very clear" on China's opposition,
said Jiang.

China-India Border
--------------


4. The spokesperson had not heard reports that two Indian border
guards had suffered gunshot wounds while on duty near the
India-China border. Jiang noted that some Indian media
organizations had released "inaccurate information" about the border
situation in the past and suggested such journalists might have
ulterior motives. Jiang said that she hoped Indian media would do
more to contribute to peace and understanding between the two
countries. China and India had reached an agreement to make joint
efforts to ensure the peace and tranquility of the border area
before a settlement could be reached, said Jiang.

Iran Nuclear Issue
--------------


5. Iran's recent agreement to meet with representatives of the
P5-plus-1 was "an important step" that was "welcomed by China."
Relevant parties should "seize the opportunity" and "step up
efforts" to resolve the issue. Parties should use the meeting to
obtain positive results and to restart dialogue and negotiation.

Japan Issues
--------------


6. Referring to a recent dispute with Japan, the spokesperson said
that Japanese claims for a continental shelf demarcation and an
exclusive economic zone surrounding "a reef that could neither
support human life or economic activity" violated UN agreements and
had garnered international attention. China hoped the UN commission
on seabed claims would properly handle the issue. Separately, Jiang
said that China looked forward to strengthening cooperation and
exchanges with Japan and making progress in the future.

Assistance for Afghanistan
--------------


7. China was committed to the peace process in South Asia and had
cooperated with Afghanistan on numerous issues including in training
personnel, said Jiang. China had taken part in the peaceful
reconstruction of Afghanistan and hoped the country would have peace
and prosperity, said Jiang.

South Korea, Japan, China

BEIJING 00002646 002.2 OF 002


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8. China, Japan and South Korea were having "close communication" on
three party leadership talks. Jiang would release information on
summit modalities once a meeting was confirmed.



HUNTSMAN