NOVEMBER 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: OBAMA VISIT, OBAMA-DALAI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003091 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PHSA CH SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: OBAMA VISIT, OBAMA-DALAI LAMA, BLACK JAILS, PIRATES ¶1. Key points at the November 12 MFA press briefing: --The U.S. President will have the opportunity to speak with youth in Shanghai -- China and the United States are "consulting on the specific arrangements" about media coverage. --China's opposition to foreign leaders meeting with the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. --China hopes that "Obama would have a better understanding of the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity" regarding Tibet because as the first black President, Obama understands the importance of President Lincoln's abolition of slavery. China's abolition of the feudal serf system in Tibet in 1959 was "just like Lincoln's abolition of slavery" -- China hopes the United States respects China's position and will appropriately handle the Tibet issue to ensure the smooth development of U.S.-China relations. --There are no "so-called black jails" in China. President Obama Visit -------------- ¶2. U.S. President Obama would meet with Chinese leaders, meet with Chinese youth, and visit historic and scenic sites in Beijing and Shanghai, said Qin Gang at the November 12 regularly scheduled MFA press briefing. The U.S. President would have the opportunity to speak with youth in Shanghai -- China and the United States were "consulting on the specific arrangements." When asked for further clarification on whether the U.S. President's event in Shanghai would be broadcast live on television, Qin reiterated that China and the United States were consulting on the specific details. Obama-Dalai Lama -------------- ¶3. Qin said China had made its position on foreign leaders meeting with the Dalai Lama clear on many occasions. China's opposition to the Dalai Lama's activities in other countries was "consistent and clear cut." Qin referred to a speech President Obama gave expressing gratitude to President Abraham Lincoln for abolishing slavery and paving the way for Obama to become the first black President of the United States. Qin said that President Obama praised Lincoln for playing an important role in "maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity." The Dalai Lama was engaged in "activities to split the motherland and undermine national unity." China hoped that "Obama would have a better understanding of the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity" because as the first black President, Obama understood the importance of President Lincoln's abolition of slavery. Qin said that China's abolition of the feudal serf system in Tibet in 1959 was "just like Lincoln's abolition of slavery" and China hoped President Obama would better understand China's position. ¶4. China hoped Obama would "hear the voice of the Chinese people," who overwhelmingly opposed President Obama meeting the Dalai Lama. The "opinion of the Chinese people could not be insulted" and the United States should respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This was one of China's core interests and concerns. ¶5. Asked what impact a meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama would have on U.S.-China relations, Qin stated that China "very clearly opposed any foreign leader meeting with the Dalai Lama." U.S.-China relations were very important and China cherished good relations with the United States based on the principle of mutual respect, especially for core interests and concerns. Tibet was a core interest and concern for China and China hoped the United States respected China's position and would appropriately handle the situation to ensure the smooth development of U.S.-China relations. Black Jails -------------- ¶6. Recent western media and NGO reports accused China of maintaining "black jails" where citizens attempting to bring grievances to the central government were held in makeshift detention centers, deprived of food and sleep, beaten and threatened. Qin offered his assurance that there were no "so-called black jails" in China and he did not know about the "so-called" Human Rights report on black jails. China put its people first and all levels of government followed "proposals and suggestions" from the people. If people were dissatisfied they had "proper channels" to "report to the relevant authorities" so they could deal with the people's concerns. When asked how he could be so confident that BEIJING 00003091 002 OF 002 China did not have black jails when the Chinese media reported about the arrest of a guard from a black jail on charges of raping an inmate, Qin said he was not aware of the specific case but the competent authorities would deal with the case according to the law. Pirates -------------- ¶7. When asked about reports that the hostage situation on the Chinese-flagged vessel the De Xin Hai would be resolved within six weeks, and for comment on the Chinese government's involvement in rescue efforts, Qin said that the competent authorities were "sparing no effort" to do rescue work and "ensure the safety of the people" taken hostage and the smooth progress of rescue efforts. Qin said it was not convenient to provide more details. Rio Tinto Investigation -------------- ¶8. In response to a question on reports that Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith had said the Chinese investigation into the Rio Tinto case would be extended for another two months, Qin said that the Rio Tinto investigation was "handled by the competent authorities" and those authorities would "follow the relevant laws and the consular agreements between China and Australia." Foreign Journalists -------------- ¶9. Asked why the Kashgar Foreign Affairs Office was barring journalists from visiting Kashgar, Qin stated that China had laws and regulations covering journalists that were also applicable in Kashgar. If journalists encountered difficulties or problems, they should report the issue to the competent local authorities or to the MFA Information Office, which would then help journalists with legitimate press activity. Visits -------------- ¶10. People's Political Consultative Conference Chairman Jia Qinglin planned to visit Brazil, Ecuador and Peru from November 19 to 30 to continue to "maintain sound relations with those countries, promote bilateral ties, and exchange views on issues of mutual interest," including regional and international issues. Jia would "explain China's system including the political Consultative system." Qin had no information on specific agreements that Jia might sign during his visit. ¶11. Qin said he had no information about Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi's visit to China and advised journalists to consult the relevant authorities. HUNTSMAN