OCTOBER 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PIRATES, CHINA-INDIA, REBIYA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002934 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PARM CH IR IS AF IN JA SUBJECT: OCTOBER 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PIRATES, CHINA-INDIA, REBIYA KADEER, IRAN AND AFGHAN ELECTIONS ¶1. Key points at the October 22 MFA press briefing: -- The Chinese Government remained concerned about the security of the 25 member crew of the De Xin Hai and an "all-out rescue effort" was ongoing. -- China and India were both emerging countries and had common interests that would benefit from the climate change agreement signed on October 21. -- China welcomed gradual implementation of the Geneva Consensus and supported the use of dialogue and negotiation with Iran. -- China respected the decision of the Afghanistan people and hoped for a peaceful and successful election that would lead Afghanistan onto the road to peace, stability and development. -- China voted for the Goldstone Report and was committed to working with the rest of the international community to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East. Pirates -------------- ¶2. The Chinese government had already made clear its position on the hijacked cargo ship De Xin Hai during the previous press briefing and had nothing to add, said MFA spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu at the October 22 MFA regularly scheduled press briefing. The Chinese Government remained concerned about the safety of the 25 member crew of the De Xin Hai and an "all-out rescue effort" was ongoing. Ma refused to provide further details on the rescue efforts. Japan: Kadeer Visit -------------- ¶3. Asked whether China's protest of Rebiya Kadeer's visit to Japan was consistent with China's policy of noninterference in other countries' internal policies, Ma told the journalist to look into the meaning of "non-interference" in other countries' affairs. People should not just listen to "lop-sided" remarks and should know what kind of person Kadeer was, Ma added. China had expressed its dissatisfaction over the fact that Kadeer planned to spread her anti-Chinese separatist activities in Japan. The PRC's position on China's unity was clear and Kadeer was "doomed for failure." Missing Uighurs -------------- ¶4. Asked about the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report on Uighurs missing in Xinjiang, Ma replied that HRW had no grounds to attack China with "rumors." The July 5 incident was a serious "criminal event" premeditated by three oversea forces and the relevant judicial authorities would handle the "criminals" accordingly. China-India Sign Climate Deal -------------- ¶5. On October 21, China and India signed an agreement to cooperate on climate change negotiations. The agreement was signed in New Delhi by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice-Chairman Xie Zhenhua and Indian Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh. The new accord would build a climate change partnership between the two countries and create working groups that would meet annually to exchange views. As emerging countries, China and India had common interests that would benefit from the agreement, which would also improve bilateral cooperation, said Ma. Iran -------------- ¶6. The IAEA and representatives from France, Iran, Russia and the United States had met on October 19-21 and had held an expert level consultation on Iran's uranium enrichment program. Ma said that the discussions had focused on proposals to provide nuclear fuel needed for the sustained operation of the Tehran Research Reactor. China welcomed gradual implementation of the Geneva Consensus and supported the use of dialogue and negotiation with Iran, said Ma. Afghan Elections -------------- ¶7. China had taken note of the latest developments in the Afghan election. The election was an internal political affair of Afghanistan. China respected the decision of the Afghanistan people and hoped for a peaceful and successful election that would lead Afghanistan onto the road to peace, stability and development, said BEIJING 00002934 002 OF 002 Ma. Goldstone Report -------------- ¶8. China had voted for the Goldstone Report in the UN Human Rights Council and was committed to the peace process between Palestine and Israel. China was committed to working with the rest of the international community to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, said Ma. JCCT -------------- ¶9. Asked for China's expectations and goals for the upcoming 20th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) to be held in Hangzhou on October 29, Ma referred interested parties to check the MFA's website for relevant updates. President Obama and Hu Phone Call -------------- ¶10. Presidents Obama and Hu spoke on the telephone on October 21 and discussed U.S.-China bilateral relations and climate change issues. President Hu had told President Obama that Copenhagen was an important effort on climate change, and Hu recognized that the two countries shared common but differentiated interests. President Hu said as long as interested parties can work together, he was hopeful that Copenhagen would have a positive outcome. Presidents Obama and Hu agreed to maintain close contact on Copenhagen and climate change, concluded Ma. Wen and Singh ASEAN Bilateral Meeting -------------- ¶11. Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh would hold bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN meeting to discuss bilateral relations and international issues of common interest. Xu Caihou's U.S. Visit -------------- ¶12. Concerning media reports that the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xu Caihou was expected to visit the United States, Ma referred inquiries to the relevant spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense. HUNTSMAN