DECEMBER 29, 2009 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: AMCIT IN NORTH KOREA,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003489 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM PHSA PTER CH BM KN IS SUBJECT: DECEMBER 29, 2009 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: AMCIT IN NORTH KOREA, UK CITIZEN EXECUTED, RESCUE OF DE XIN HAI SHIP AND CREW, LIU XIAOBO, AIRLINE SECURITY ¶1. Key points at the December 29 MFA press briefing were: -- China hopes the U.S. will uphold the larger issue of stability on the Korean Peninsula when addressing US citizen Robert Park's detention in North Korea. -- The execution of UK citizen Akmal Shaikh for drug smuggling, despite claims that he suffers from mental disorders, was handled in strict accordance with the rule of law. -- China looks to enhance the ability of its naval fleet to protect its citizens overseas and its legitimate rights and interests abroad, following the recovery of a Chinese ship and crewmembers from Somali pirates. -- China handled the case of Liu Xiaobo publicly and in strict accordance to the law. -- China in response to NW 253 was coordinating with the U.S. to strengthen flight security in line with "international conventions." North Korea's Detention of a US Citizen -------------- ¶2. At the December 29 regularly scheduled Foreign Ministry press briefing, Spokesperson Jiang Yu commented on North Korea's detention of U.S. citizen Robert Park, stating that China hoped the United States, when addressing this issue, would uphold the larger issue of stability on the Korean Peninsula. She referred journalists asking for additional information on China's position to the "relevant authorities." Execution of UK Citizen -------------- ¶3. Jiang refused to confirm details of the December 29 execution of UK citizen Akmal Shaikh for drug smuggling, despite claims that he suffered from mental disorders. China is a country governed by the rule of law, Jiang said. Judicial authorities are independent of the government and handled the situation in strict accordance with the law. Asked why the government did not delay or stop the execution given reports of the prisoner's mental condition, Jiang responded that "China does not have the conditions to renounce the sentence (handed down by judicial authorities) but will mete out the sentence." China noted British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's reaction to the execution with strong dissatisfaction. China hoped the UK would squarely face what was an individual case not connected to broader issues, and Jiang expressed hope that this incident would not impair UK-PRC relations. �00A; ¶4. Responding to repeated questions on the number of foreigners China had executed in the last 30 years and the number of foreigners that had faced criminal prosecution in China, Jiang asserted that the MFA had no such numbers and again referred journalists to "competent authorities" such as the Ministry of Justice and the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Foreign Affairs and Legal Affairs Office for further information. Jiang asserted that this matter was outside the mandate of the MFA. Rescue of De Xin Hai Ship and Sailors -------------- ¶5. The Chinese-flagged De Xin Hai vessel, with its 25 crew members, was now under the protection of China's naval fleet and was on its way home, Jiang confirmed. China places great importance on the safety of its citizens overseas. China would look to enhance the naval fleet's ability to duly protect Chinese based overseas and its legitimate rights and interests abroad. Liu Xiaobo -------------- ¶6. China is handling the case of Liu Xiaobo publicly and in strict accordance to the law, Jiang asserted, when asked to comment on the U.S. government's response to the December 25 sentencing of Liu. Others should respect China's judicial system and judicial independence, Jiang said. Airline Security in Wake of NW 253 -------------- ¶7. China had taken note of the December 25 attempted bombing of US Northwest Airlines flight 253 and opposed any form of terrorism, Jiang declared. In response, China was carrying out high level security checks on domestic and international flights, and was coordinating with the U.S. to strengthen security on flights in BEIJING 00003489 002 OF 002 accordance with "international conventions." Burma's Release of Sailors -------------- ¶8. Burma agreed to release one Mainland and four Taiwan sailors "at an early date" after fines were paid and at the behest of the Chinese government, Jiang confirmed in response to a question. Chinese officials have met with the fishermen and have asked Burmese authorities to provide appropriate medical treatment. (Note: On November 18, Burma's navy detained 10 ships carrying 128 fishermen for illegal fishing.) Opposition to New Settlements in East Jerusalem -------------- -------------- ¶9. China opposed plans to build new Jewish settlements in annexed Arab East Jerusalem, Jiang affirmed, noting that this issue could only be resolved through negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. China hoped Israel will squarely face "international requirements" and carry out policies in accordance with these requirements. GOLDBERG