Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING2670
2009-09-17 23:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

SEPTEMBER 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: NIS REPORT, NORTH

Tags:  PREL PGOV PBTS MNUC CH KN KS IR JP AF RS SF 
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O 172312Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6109
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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

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