SEPTEMBER 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: NIS REPORT, NORTH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002670 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS MNUC CH KN KS IR JP AF RS SF LT, PU, CV, VE SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: NIS REPORT, NORTH KOREA, IRAN, XINJIANG BOMB PLOT, DPRK TRIPS ¶1. Key points at the September 17 MFA press briefing: -- Regarding the 2009 National Intelligence Strategy report, China urged the United States to drop its "Cold War mentality," which could undermine mutual trust and mislead the American public. -- On North Korea, China remained committed to denuclearization and the restoration as soon as possible of the Six-Party Talks. -- The spokesperson had no comment on the bomb plot reportedly foiled in Xinjiang, nor on the recent refusal for entry into South Korea of World Uighur Congress Secretary-General Dolkun Isa. -- The spokesperson had no information about reported plans for to travel to the DPRK by Premier Wen Jiabao, or on the current visit to the DPRK of State Councilor Dai Bingguo. Leadership Trips to DPRK -------------- ¶2. At the regularly scheduled September 17 MFA press conference, spokesperson Jiang Yu said she had no information about reports that Premier Wen Jiabao planned to travel to North Korea. Asked about the current visit to North Korea of State Councilor Dai Bingguo, the spokesperson said details would be released separately. U.S. NIS Report, Sino-U.S. Friction -------------- ¶3. Asked to comment on the 2009 U.S. National Intelligence Strategy (NIS) report stating that China, Russia, Iran and North Korea could pose threats to the United States, Jiang said that China sought peaceful development and urged the United States to drop its "Cold War mentality," which could undermine mutual trust and mislead the American public. When asked separately if the combination of the NIS report and recently-imposed U.S. tariffs on Chinese-manufactured tires could spark broader Sino-U.S. friction, she noted that while differences existed between the two countries, China was ready to cooperate to deal with problems as they arose in the interest of furthering the development of U.S.-China relations. No Comment on Reported Xinjiang Bomb Plot -------------- ¶4. When asked whether the reported Xinjiang bomb plot foiled by Chinese authorities involved foreign fighters or funding, Jiang responded that the July 5 incident was a violent act incited by domestic and foreign fighters and that the bomb plot would be handled by competent authorities according to law. Asked to comment on the recent refusal for entry into South Korea by immigration authorities there of World Uighur Congress Secretary-General Dolkun Isa, Jiang stated that she was unaware of the incident. China's Agenda for the G-20 Summit -------------- ¶5. Regarding China's agenda for the upcoming G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Jiang noted that China would seek to strengthen macroeconomic cooperation, promote structural reform of the international financial system according to agreements from the London Summit, focus on increasing the pace of development in the least-developed countries, oppose economic protectionism, and promote the Doha Round. Jiang reported that President Hu Jintao planned to attend the UN Climate Change Summit, the 64th UN General Assembly Debate and the UN Security Council Non-Proliferation Summit. Afghan Elections -------------- ¶6. Regarding the recently-concluded elections in Afghanistan, Jiang noted that the election was an internal Afghan affair and China respected the decision of the Afghan people. BEIJING 00002670 002 OF 002 Assistant Foreign Minister to Travel to Africa -------------- - ¶7. Jiang noted that Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun would be traveling to South Africa, Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde from September 17-23, with plans to attend the second round of the China-South Africa Strategic Dialogue. Iran, North Korea -------------- ¶8. Asked about ChinaQs position in upcoming talks on the Iran nuclear issue, including what ChinaQs response would be if Iran built a nuclear weapon, Jiang noted that the Iran nuclear issue was extremely important and that China hoped negotiations on the topic would resume as soon as possible. Asked separately about how China would work to resolve the Iran nuclear issue given that China had failed to stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons, she replied that China remained committed to world peace and denuclearization, adding that China's longstanding position was for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the restoration as soon as possible of the Six-Party Talks. No Comment on Venezuela Oil Deal -------------- ¶9. Asked to comment on a reported USD 16 billion oil contract between China and Venezuela, Jiang claimed to be unaware of such a deal, advising that all questions be directed to the relevant companies. New Japanese Cabinet -------------- ¶10. Asked to comment on ChinaQs reaction to the appointment of new Japanese cabinet officials, Jiang noted that Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi sent congratulations on September 16 to their new counterparts in the Japanese government. Heads of State Visiting for 60th Anniversary -------------- ¶11. The spokesperson noted that while Heads of State would be invited to the upcoming festivities in Beijing celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PeopleQs Republic of China, no information was available on specific foreign officials invited and whether or not they planned to attend. HUNTSMAN