OCTOBER 27 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002980 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PARM EAID CH IR IS AF IN JA SUBJECT: OCTOBER 27 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION, IRAN, TIBETANS, FOREIGN POLICY. ¶1. Key points at the October 27 MFA press briefing: -- China would deepen ties with Egypt and promote China-Africa and China-Arab ties at the early November Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt -- China hoped relevant parties would quickly reach a consensus on IAEA's proposal to supply fuel to Iran's nuclear reactors. -- PRC authorities had strictly followed Chinese criminal law and legal procedures in convicting and executing two Tibetans for involvement in the March 14 incident. -- China adopted an independent foreign policy and would continue to play a positive and cooperative role in world affairs. China-Africa Forum -------------- ¶2. Asked about China's expectations for the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held in early November in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, MFA spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu replied that Egypt was the first African-Arab country to establish ties with China and that this year marked the 10th anniversary of Sino-Egypt strategic and cooperative ties. China looked to further deepen its pragmatic links with Egypt and to promote China-Africa and China-Arab relations. China expected the 4th Ministerial Conference to build off cooperative results since the 2006 Beijing Summit and 3rd Ministerial Conference. The meeting would be of great significance to advancing China-African relations and to strengthening joint cooperation across the board. Ma added that one could expect to see cooperative agreements signed, the issuance of a FOCAC Sharm el-Sheikh declaration, and a 2010-2012 Action Plan meant to guide the future course of bilateral relations and as a blueprint for cooperative efforts for the next three years. Turning to aid, Ma stated that China's aid to African countries would be continuous and long-term. China and Africa would continue to exchange views on trade and economic cooperation "so as to reach a new consensus." Iran -------------- ¶3. Asked for China's position on Iranian press articles calling for cooperation and fuel supply from China, Ma responded that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed ElBaradei had put forward a proposal for the supply of fuel to Iran's nuclear reactors. China hoped the parties through consultations would reach a consensus at an early date. Executions of Tibetans -------------- ¶4. Asked whether China had executed two Tibetans convicted of involvement in the March 14 incident, Ma confirmed that "two criminals had been executed." Regarding the March 14 convictions, PRC authorities had strictly followed Chinese criminal law and legal procedures, Ma added. Lawyers of the defendants fully expressed their views, Tibetan interpreters were provided, ensuring the legitimate rights of the defendants were guaranteed. The cases were handled according to law and the trials were reviewed and approved by the Supreme People's Court. Ma referred the journalist to China's judicial authorities for more thorough answers. U.S. Embargo on Cuba -------------- ¶5. Asked for China's position on the U.S. embargo on Cuba, Ma stated that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held a vote on lifting the U.S. embargo. China's position was that all countries should abide by the UN charter, and that state-to-state relations should be based on equality and mutual respect. China maintained that the embargo should be lifted at an early date. ROK Veteran to DPRK -------------- ¶6. Asked for information on the 81-year old Republic of Korea (ROK) veteran, Choi Sung-yong, arrested by Chinese authorities after escaping from 57 years of captivity in North Korea, Ma replied that he had no specific information on this case. Regarding "illegal border crossers," China followed international law and humanitarian principles. BEIJING 00002980 002 OF 002 China Espionage Case -------------- ¶7. Asked to comment on the U.S. arrest of a Chinese national, former Ford Motor Company engineer Yu Xiangdong, on charges of espionage, Ma replied that he was not aware of case specifics but noted that China was closely following this case to ensure that the national's rights were guaranteed. China's Consul General in Chicago had already sent officers to visit Yu according to the regulations of China-U.S. Consular Treaty. Principle of Non-interference -------------- ¶8. Asked whether China's increasingly active role in world affairs was consistent with China's policy of noninterference in other countries' internal policies, Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu told the journalist that his question "should be raised in academic seminars." China adopted an independent foreign policy consistent with its path of peaceful development and the building of a harmonious world, Ma added. China would continue to play a positive and cooperative role in world affairs and in building a harmonious world. China's principle of non-interference was universally acknowledged and was in line with its five principles of peaceful coexistence. U.S. Plane in Guangdong -------------- ¶9. Responding to the reported discovery of a U.S. B-29 bomber that had crashed in Guangdong Province on November 5, 1950 -- shortly before China's attack on U.S. troops in Korea -- Ma replied that he had no information on the matter and would get back to the journalist. Visits -------------- ¶10. Premier Wen Jiabao at the invitation of Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed Nazif planned to visit Egypt November 6-7. On November 8, Premier Wen would attend the opening ceremony of the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. ¶11. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Minister of Commerce Chen Deming would head a delegation to the FOCAC November 8-9. ¶12. At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang, Finland Foreign Minister Alex Stubb would visit China November 2-3. HUNTSMAN