SEPTEMBER 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: UIGHUR LEADER, JOURNALITS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002720 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MNUC PARM SENV CH KN KS JP RS SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: UIGHUR LEADER, JOURNALITS BEATEN, DAI DPRK VISIT, JAPAN ¶1. Key points at the September 22 MFA press briefing: -- Dolkun Isa, the Uighur leader recently refused entry into South Korea, was suspected of various crimes and wanted by Chinese and international police -- The MFA passed along the concerns of Kyodo journalists who said they had been beaten in the Beijing Hotel by Chinese security forces while they attempted to photograph rehearsals for the National Day parade. -- During his visit to North Korea, Presidential Envoy Dai Bingguo exchanged views with North Korean leaders on bilateral relations, denuclearization, peace and stability of North East Asia and presented a letter from President Hu Jintao. -- During Chinese President Hu Jintao's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on September 21 in New York, Hu presented a five-point plan to develop bilateral relations. -- China attached great importance to the United States' leading role in tackling climate change and China looked forward to the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen. World Uighur Congress Leader -------------- ¶2. Dolkun Isa, the Uighur leader recently refused entry into South Korea, was the Secretary General of the World Uighur Congress and a major leader of the East Turkistan Liberation Organization, said spokesperson Jiang Yu at the regularly scheduled September 22 MFA press conference. Isa was suspected of various crimes and wanted by Chinese and international police. Jiang said that China had contacted the South Korean Government to make its position on the matter clear. Fighting East Turkistan organizations was an integral part of the fight on terror, said Jiang. The international community should work together to fight all terror including that committed by East Turkistan organizations. Kyodo Journalists Beaten -------------- ¶3. The MFA passed along the concerns of Kyodo journalists who said they had been beaten in the Beijing Hotel by Chinese security forces while they attempted to photograph rehearsals for the National Day parade, said Jiang. The police had not yet reported back to the MFA so Jiang was unclear whether any violence had taken place. Jiang said that she "understood" foreign journalists' wish to cover the National Day ceremony and would actively coordinate with journalists to ensure smooth coverage. However, "in keeping with international practice," during major events China would adopt "temporary measures as needed." Both the Chinese government and the Beijing Hotel had informed the journalists not to film the rehearsals. However, the journalists had disobeyed. Whatever the reason for the event, however, Jiang said that she "felt sorry" about the unpleasantness. Jiang encouraged journalists to be patient with police and comply with regulations. The regulations were designed to ensure journalists were given a "splendid show." Pressed, the spokesperson did not specify what the punishment for not obeying regulations was. North Korea Travel -------------- ¶4. During his visit to North Korea, Presidential Envoy Dai Bingguo exchanged views with North Korean leaders on bilateral relations, denuclearization, peace and stability of North East Asia and presented a letter from President Hu Jintao. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in all fields and to promote bilateral relations. The spokesperson stressed that as a "close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula" China would closely follow denuclearization there. The resolution of these issues through dialogue was the consistent policy of China and the Six-Party Talks were a good means to have dialogue. China hoped that all parties would work together to promote denuclearization. The spokesperson had no information to release regarding a rumored visit by Premier Wen Jiabao to North Korea in early October. Hu Jintao on Japan -------------- ¶5. During Chinese President Hu Jintao's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on September 21 in New York, Hu stressed the importance of China-Japan bilateral relations to both countries, said Jiang. China was ready to work with Japan to achieve mutually beneficial relations, Hu told Hatoyama. Hu made five proposals for the improvement of relations: 1. Strengthen high-level contact, 2. Strengthen business ties, 3. Strengthen people to people exchanges BEIJING 00002720 002 OF 002 ¶4. Strengthen cooperation in East Asian affairs to support denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and encourage dialogue on critical global issues such as the financial crisis, climate change and energy, and, 5. Properly handle disputes. It was natural to have disputes but the two sides should focus on the larger issues Hu told Hatoyama. History and Taiwan were real issues in the relationship and China hoped that Japan would honor its commitments and properly handle these issues. ¶6. Asked about Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's proposal for an East Asian Community, Jiang said that strengthening regional cooperation was the "trend of the times" and China hoped that all countries would promote political mutual trust and seek "win-win" relationships. Hu Jintao on Climate Change -------------- ¶7. President Hu would attend the UN Climate Change Summit on Tuesday in New York, said Jiang. China attached great importance to the United States' leading role in tackling climate change, the international community should work together on the issue and China looked forward to the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen, she added. China also hoped the Copenhagen conference would allow countries to build consensus and inject political importance to the fight against climate change. Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament -------------- ¶8. China hoped the upcoming UN Summit on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament would explore practical ways to strengthen nonproliferation, disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear power, said the spokesperson. Asked about press reports about past China-Pakistan cooperation on nuclear development, Jiang said that China had always been committed to its obligations as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and opposed all forms of nuclear proliferation. Japan, China, South Korea Talks -------------- ¶9. China, Japan and South Korea were consulting on the specific dates for a three-way meeting among leaders. Tibet Closure -------------- ¶10. The spokesperson had not heard reports that Tibet would be closed to foreign tourists during the National Day celebrations and referred reporters to the Tibet foreign affairs office. Russian Leaders -------------- ¶11. The spokesperson had no official information regarding a rumored visit by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Beijing in early October. Jiang noted that 2009 marked the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between China and Russia and a celebratory conference would be held to commemorate the event. President Hu would meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on September 23 in New York. During the meeting Hu and Medvedev would discuss the China-Russia strategic partnership, the future of bilateral relations, international and regional issues and other issues of common interest. Global Economy -------------- ¶12. The global economy was stabilizing but a complete recovery would be a long process, said Jiang. Countries should coordinate their macroeconomic policies. China would continue to push forward with its stimulus package. News Assistants Cyber Targets -------------- ¶13. Recent foreign media reports suggested that Beijing-based foreign correspondents and their local assistants had been targeted by emails laden with malicious computer software in attacks tied to the run-up to the National Day military parade on October 1. In response to a reporter's questions, Jiang claimed that she had not heard reports that news assistants were becoming targets of emails containing malicious code. HUNTSMAN