SEPTEMBER 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, NORTH KOREA, BURMA,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002794 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MNUC PARM CH KS KN RS IR ZK BM AF MG, IN, AF SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, NORTH KOREA, BURMA, TIBET, SCO ¶1. Key points at the September 29 MFA press briefing: -- China supported the maintenance of the nuclear nonproliferation program and resolving the Iran issue through negotiation. -- During his visit to North Korea, Premier Wen Jiabao would exchange ideas on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest, attend celebrations commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the year of friendship between China and the DPRK, review and "map out" the future of the China-North Korea relationship and sign agreements in economic cooperation, trade and tourism. -- China supported the solution of the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue and consultation, and the Six-Party Talks were a "practical and effective mechanism in this regard." -- Reports that Burma had begun expelling Chinese citizens from its territory were "not in line with the facts." P5+1 and Iran -------------- ¶2. China hoped that the upcoming P5+1 meeting in Geneva would achieve positive results. China supported the maintenance of the nuclear nonproliferation system and resolving the Iran issue through negotiation, said Jiang. China hoped that relevant countries would "do the right thing" to maintain stability. It was in the interest of all countries to properly handle the issue and China hoped that relevant countries would make efforts to relax tensions rather than to increase pressure. The Chinese delegation to Geneva would be led by MFA Arms Control Department Director General Cheng Jingye. Wen Jiabao to North Korea -------------- ¶3. During his visit to North Korea, Premier Wen Jiabao would exchange ideas on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest, attend celebrations commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the year of friendship between China and the DPRK, review and "map out" the future of the China-North Korea relationship and sign agreements in economic cooperation, trade and tourism, said Jiang. China provided assistance to North Korea in order to improve the lives of the North Korean people and develop the country's economy, noted the spokesperson. The visit would reciprocate the visit of North Korean Premier Kim Yong-Il to Beijing in March, said Jiang. ¶4. China hoped to make joint efforts with North Korea to push forward bilateral relations and improve the situation on the peninsula. Regional stability and denuclearization were in the interests of all parties and China hoped that relevant countries would make a positive contribution to these goals. China supported the solution of relevant issues through dialogue and consultation and the Six-Party Talks was a "practical and effective mechanism in this regard," said Jiang. Burma Stability -------------- ¶5. Reports that Burma had begun expelling Chinese citizens from its territory were "not in line with the facts," said the spokesperson. China's border with Burma was stable and people-to-people exchanges were proceeding normally. China had asked Burma to protect the legitimate rights of Chinese citizens residing in Burma, said Jiang. Tibet Closure? -------------- ¶6. Reports that Tibet would close to foreigners during the National Day holiday were not true, said Jiang. There would be no restrictions on tourism to the region and numbers of travelers were expected to top 2007 levels. Some travel agencies might adjust the schedules of tours due to the large number of visitors, said Jiang. SCO Meeting -------------- ¶7. China would host a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing on October 14, said Jiang. Leaders from member and observer countries would attend discussions on the Yekaterinburg agreement, responses to the financial crisis and deepening regional economic and humanitarian cooperation. In addition to leaders from member countries, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Iranian Vice President Reza Rahimi, Mongolian BEIJING 00002794 002 OF 002 Foreign Minister Sukhbaataryn Batbold and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora would attend as observers. Representatives from Afghanistan and Turkmenistan would attend as "guests," said Jiang. Steinberg Visit -------------- ¶8. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg would exchange ideas with Vice President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya, Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei and leaders from the military during his visit to Beijing. National Day Security -------------- ¶9. China would take "necessary and effective" security measures during the upcoming national day celebrations. Such measures reflected China's responsible attitude, said the spokesperson. Visits -------------- ¶10. Russian Premier Vladimir Putin would visit China October 12-14 to meet with Premier Wen Jiabao, attend celebrations of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and attend meetings of the SCO. Russian Vice Premier Aleksandr Zhukov would visit China October 10-12. Kyrgyz Premier Igor Chudinov would visit China October 15-17. HUNTSMAN