NOVEMBER 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: OBAMA VISIT, EXCHANGE RATE,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003083 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EFIN ECON PHSA ABUD IN XA TW SY SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: OBAMA VISIT, EXCHANGE RATE, DALAI LAMA, TAIWAN ¶1. Key points at the November 10 MFA press briefing: -- The visit of U.S. President Obama will have a great influence on the future development of bilateral relations. -- China will follow a proactive and transparent policy to improve the Renminbi (RMB) exchange mechanism and give full play to supply and demand. -- China is "firmly opposed" to the Dalai Lama's visit to the disputed border region Arunachal Pradesh. -- It is important for U.S.-China relations that both sides continue to follow the three Joint Communiques. President Obama Visit -------------- ¶2. The visit of U.S. President Obama would have a great influence on the future development of bilateral relations, said Qin Gang at the November 10 regularly scheduled MFA press briefing. China hoped the two countries could work together to ensure proactive and comprehensive bilateral relations. China looked forward to exchanging views on issues of mutual importance including international, regional and bilateral topics. China and the United States continued to consult on the details of the visit and China hoped the visit would be a positive achievement. There had been no change in the dates for the President's visit due to the tragedy at Fort Hood. Exchange Rate Issue -------------- ¶3. China's position on its exchange rate was clear and had been expressed on many occasions, said the spokesperson. China would follow a proactive and transparent policy to improve the Renminbi (RMB) exchange mechanism and give full play to supply and demand. China would work to ensure the stability of the RMB exchange rate on the basis of reason and flexibility. The U.S. had the number one economy in the world and its development would affect the world financial situation. If the United States could overcome the difficulties of the financial crisis and maintain the stability of its economy this would have a positive effect on the U.S. exchange rate. This would be good for China and the world as a whole. China-India Relations -------------- ¶4. China was "firmly opposed" to the Dalai Lama's visit to the disputed border region Arunachal Pradesh, said Qin. The visit had fully exposed the anti-China nature of the Dalai Lama and his efforts were "doomed to fail." China had expressed strong ;dissatisfaction over India's disregard for the Chinese position. Taiwan Issue -------------- ¶5. The three Joint Communiques were "very clear" regarding the status of Taiwan, said Qin. It was important for U.S.-China relations that both sides continued to follow the Communiques. China's core interests should be respected to ensure the positive development of relations, said Qin. Pirates -------------- ¶6. Qin had not heard reports that a Hong Kong cargo ship had repulsed an attack by pirates. He was, however, relieved to hear that the crew members were not being held captive. China had dispatched PLA Navy ships to Somali waters to protect Chinese ships. Hong Kong was part of Chinese territory and China would also provide protection to Hong Kong ships as required. China was ready to cooperate with other nations to combat piracy and ensure the peace and stability of the region, he said. U.S.-China Trade -------------- ¶7. U.S.-China trade had made unprecedented progress in the previous thirty years, said Qin. The increasing interdependence had brought the two countries continually closer and brought tangible benefits to people in both countries. Economic relations between China and the United States sometimes resulted in "friction and disputes" mostly because of the different national conditions of each country and the pressures of globalization. China and the United states should cooperate on the basis of equality and mutual respect and should resist trade and investment protectionism. China called on the United States to work with China to stop trade protectionism, BEIJING 00003083 002 OF 002 said Qin. Uighur Executions -------------- ¶8. The nine Uighurs put to death in Xinjiang were criminals who had been involved in the July 5 incident, said Qin. The cases had been handled according to law. Africa Aid -------------- ¶9. Wen Jiabao mapped out a plan for Chinese aid to Africa for the next four years during the opening ceremony of the China-Africa Summit, said the spokesman. The package would include favorable loans aimed at taking into account Africa's short-term needs and long-term desire for improved livelihoods and self-development. The loans would cover areas such as agriculture, healthcare and education, said Qin. China would continue to listen to the voices of African countries to map out the plan in more detail. Foreign Journalists -------------- ¶10. Asked whether there were restrictions on the reporting activities of foreign journalists in Xinjiang, Qin stated that foreign journalists would have to follow Chinese laws and regulations. These laws and regulations applied to all regions of China including Xinjiang. Visits -------------- ¶11. Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu would visit Rome for the World Summit on Food Security from November 16-18 and would pay a separate visit to Syria from November 18-20. HUNTSMAN