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 -------------- ¶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