Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING3061
2009-11-05 23:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
NOVEMBER 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MILITARIZATION OF SPACE,
how-toVZCZCXRO0522 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #3061/01 3092317 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 052317Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6732 RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0003 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2252 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003061
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PARM MOPS KGHG TSPA CN CI SO KN
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MILITARIZATION OF SPACE,
CLIMATE CHANGE, GULF OF ADEN.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003061
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PARM MOPS KGHG TSPA CN CI SO KN
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MILITARIZATION OF SPACE,
CLIMATE CHANGE, GULF OF ADEN.
1. Key points at the November 5 MFA press briefing:
-- China's position on the militarization of outer space remains
unchanged. China opposes the militarization of outer space and will
not engage in any arms race in outer space.
-- China will continue to take "effective measures" to combat
climate change. However, developed nations have an obligation to
take the lead on this issue.
-- China maintains a "positive and open attitude" towards bilateral
and multilateral cooperation to secure the Gulf of Aden and the seas
off Somalia. Representatives from navies participating in
anti-piracy efforts will hold a multilateral conference in the near
future.
-- China welcomes the further development of bilateral relations
with North Korea and supports the resumption of the Six-Party
Talks.
NO ARMS RACE IN SPACE
--------------
2. At the November 5 regularly scheduled Ministry of Foreign Affairs
press conference, spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu stated that China's
position on the militarization of space remains unchanged. In
response to a question about comments attributed to Xu Qiliang, a
senior PLA Air Force official, implying that an arms race in space
is inevitable, Ma said that China continues to oppose the
militarization of outer space and will not participate in any sort
of "arms race" in outer space.
CLIMATE CHANGE
--------------
3. Developed countries have a "historical responsibility" to take
the lead on climate change issues by providing capital, technology,
and other support to developing countries. This is the "common
consensus" of the international community, said Ma. Given that the
United States and China's level of economic development is not the
same, the two countries' respective obligations are also not the
same. In fact, all developed and developing countries have "common
but differentiated" obligations towards climate change.
4. China is taking "proper actions" to reduce emissions "by a large
margin," Ma said, and will continue to take effective measures
against climate change. On this issue, China's attitude is serious,
its goals are clear, and its measures are effective.
GULF OF ADEN
--------------
5. Ma stated that according to information from the Ministry of
National Defense, China will hold meetings to discuss safeguarding
the waters off Somalia. Navy representatives from Russia, Japan,
India, the EU, and other countries as well as NATO will attend a
conference in early November. China maintains a "positive and open
attitude" towards bilateral and multilateral cooperation to secure
the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH NORTH KOREA
--------------
6. Although "not aware of any specifics" about meetings between PRC
and DPRK officials, Ma stated that China welcomes the development of
China's bilateral relationship with the DPRK and supports the
resumption of the Six-Party Talks.
SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PLA AIR FORCE
--------------
7. Foreign journalists will have an opportunity to cover "relevant
activities" during the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of
the PLA Air Force. Ma said specific questions should be raised with
the Ministry of National Defense.
BACHELET VISIT
--------------
8. Michelle Bachelet, the President of the Republic of Chile, will
make a "working visit" to Shanghai on November 12-13. Ma also
welcomed officials from the Hong Kong SAR and countries in Oceania,
who were present at the briefing.
BEIJING 00003061 002 OF 002
OBAMA VISIT
--------------
9. When asked what China's expectations are of the upcoming visit
of President Barack Obama to China, Ma answered that relevant
announcements would be made "in due course."
TIBET HYDROPOWER PROJECT
--------------
10. When asked about a proposed hydroelectric project in Tibet, Ma
responded that China is a "responsible country" and asked the
reporter to refer to more detailed information on the MFA website.
APEC BRIEFING
--------------
11. Ma announced that there will be a joint MFA/MOFCOM briefing on
APEC in the MFA press conference room at 2:00 p.m., November 6.
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PARM MOPS KGHG TSPA CN CI SO KN
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MILITARIZATION OF SPACE,
CLIMATE CHANGE, GULF OF ADEN.
1. Key points at the November 5 MFA press briefing:
-- China's position on the militarization of outer space remains
unchanged. China opposes the militarization of outer space and will
not engage in any arms race in outer space.
-- China will continue to take "effective measures" to combat
climate change. However, developed nations have an obligation to
take the lead on this issue.
-- China maintains a "positive and open attitude" towards bilateral
and multilateral cooperation to secure the Gulf of Aden and the seas
off Somalia. Representatives from navies participating in
anti-piracy efforts will hold a multilateral conference in the near
future.
-- China welcomes the further development of bilateral relations
with North Korea and supports the resumption of the Six-Party
Talks.
NO ARMS RACE IN SPACE
--------------
2. At the November 5 regularly scheduled Ministry of Foreign Affairs
press conference, spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu stated that China's
position on the militarization of space remains unchanged. In
response to a question about comments attributed to Xu Qiliang, a
senior PLA Air Force official, implying that an arms race in space
is inevitable, Ma said that China continues to oppose the
militarization of outer space and will not participate in any sort
of "arms race" in outer space.
CLIMATE CHANGE
--------------
3. Developed countries have a "historical responsibility" to take
the lead on climate change issues by providing capital, technology,
and other support to developing countries. This is the "common
consensus" of the international community, said Ma. Given that the
United States and China's level of economic development is not the
same, the two countries' respective obligations are also not the
same. In fact, all developed and developing countries have "common
but differentiated" obligations towards climate change.
4. China is taking "proper actions" to reduce emissions "by a large
margin," Ma said, and will continue to take effective measures
against climate change. On this issue, China's attitude is serious,
its goals are clear, and its measures are effective.
GULF OF ADEN
--------------
5. Ma stated that according to information from the Ministry of
National Defense, China will hold meetings to discuss safeguarding
the waters off Somalia. Navy representatives from Russia, Japan,
India, the EU, and other countries as well as NATO will attend a
conference in early November. China maintains a "positive and open
attitude" towards bilateral and multilateral cooperation to secure
the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH NORTH KOREA
--------------
6. Although "not aware of any specifics" about meetings between PRC
and DPRK officials, Ma stated that China welcomes the development of
China's bilateral relationship with the DPRK and supports the
resumption of the Six-Party Talks.
SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PLA AIR FORCE
--------------
7. Foreign journalists will have an opportunity to cover "relevant
activities" during the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of
the PLA Air Force. Ma said specific questions should be raised with
the Ministry of National Defense.
BACHELET VISIT
--------------
8. Michelle Bachelet, the President of the Republic of Chile, will
make a "working visit" to Shanghai on November 12-13. Ma also
welcomed officials from the Hong Kong SAR and countries in Oceania,
who were present at the briefing.
BEIJING 00003061 002 OF 002
OBAMA VISIT
--------------
9. When asked what China's expectations are of the upcoming visit
of President Barack Obama to China, Ma answered that relevant
announcements would be made "in due course."
TIBET HYDROPOWER PROJECT
--------------
10. When asked about a proposed hydroelectric project in Tibet, Ma
responded that China is a "responsible country" and asked the
reporter to refer to more detailed information on the MFA website.
APEC BRIEFING
--------------
11. Ma announced that there will be a joint MFA/MOFCOM briefing on
APEC in the MFA press conference room at 2:00 p.m., November 6.