FEBRUARY 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY OF STATE VISIT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000398

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH KS KN IN PK CB VM VT

SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY OF STATE VISIT,
KOREAN PENNINSULA, FINANCIAL CRISIS

BEIJING 00000398 001.2 OF 002



1. Key points at the February 17 MFA Press Briefing:

-- China hopes to "increase mutual trust" and promote "the sound and
stable development" of relations "in the new era" during the
Secretary of State's visit.

-- China hopes that North and South Korea will "increase mutual
trust" and "solve problems through dialogue" to maintain the peace
and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

-- China is ready to "strengthen cooperation and join hands" with
the international community to combat the financial crisis.

-- "As a friend to both Pakistan and India," China hopes both
parties can be "dedicated to peace and stability in the region."

Secretary of State Visit
--------------


2. China has "noted" Secretary of State Clinton's recent speech on
U.S. policy toward Asia, said MFA spokesperson Jiang Yu at the
February 17 Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference. Jiang said
that the speech "stressed that the United States is ready to work
with Asian countries." China "welcomes" a United States "role in
ensuring peace and stability in the region" and "bilateral relations
are in the interest of the two peoples," said Jiang. China hopes to
"increase mutual trust" and promote "the sound and stable
development" of relations "in the new era" during the Secretary's
visit. Pressed for specifics, Jiang said that during the
Secretary's visit there would be a "deep exchange of views on a wide
range of issues."

North Korea Missile Test
--------------


3. "Relevant parties should work together to maintain peace and
stability" said Jiang when asked for China's response to reported
North Korean missile launch preparations. China hopes that North
and South Korea will "increase mutual trust" and "solve problems
through dialogue" to maintain the peace and stability of the Korean
Peninsula. China did wish Kim Jong-il a happy birthday, but Jiang
had no information as to whether China gave the North Korean leader
any presents. Jiang noted that this year marks the 6Oth anniversary
of relations between China and North Korea and China hopes bilateral
relations will "continue to make progress."

Financial Crisis
--------------


4. China is ready to "strengthen cooperation and join hands" with
the international community to resolve the financial crisis, said
Jiang. China has already begun using a "positive fiscal policy" and
"relaxed monetary policy" to address the situation, said Jiang.
China hopes that countries will "increase cooperation," "pay
attention to development issues and increase representation for
developing countries." China also hopes the London G-20 summit on
financial stability will have a "positive result."

Pakistan and India
--------------


5. China "welcomes" any actions "conducive to easing tension in the
region" said Jiang in response to a question regarding
Pakistan-India relations. China has "noted" the "real actions"
toward this end from both India and Pakistan. "As a friend to both
Pakistan and India," China hopes both parties can be "dedicated to
peace and stability in the region." Regarding Pakistan President
Asif Zardari's upcoming visit to China, Jiang said "we will do all
we can, within our ability, to help Pakistan develop its economy and
society."

Cambodian Genocide Trials
--------------


6. Asked repeatedly for comments on accusations that China was
complicit in the genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia,
Jiang said that China has always followed a policy of peaceful
coexistence. Jiang noted that "at the time, Cambodia had a seat at
the UN." China hopes that the international community can "respect
the choices of the Cambodian people and government."

Vietnam War
--------------


BEIJING 00000398 002.2 OF 002



7. Asked how China will commemorate the 30th anniversary of its
invasion of Vietnam, Jiang said that "China and Vietnam had an
unhappy part of history." However, the "important thing" is that
leaders of both countries agreed to have good bilateral relations
"many years ago." China and Vietnam should "put the past behind them
and face the future," said Jiang. Jiang said that China and Vietnam
enjoy "good neighborly relations" and a "healthy and stable
cooperative partnership." Jiang noted that the land border
delineation program "has been completed on schedule." Asked whether
China would influence Vietnam's relations with the Vatican, Jiang
said that China "has never interfered in the internal affairs of
another country."

Relations with Latin America
--------------


8. Jiang had no information regarding Chinese Communist Party
Central Committee International Liaison Department (CCID) director
Wang Jiarui's trip to Latin America. However, she noted that Vice
President Xi Jinping recently visited the region. Jiang said that
China and Latin American countries have "common interests" and China
intends to develop relations based on "mutual benefit."

Wu Hongbo Travel
--------------


9. Asked about Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo's current trip
to Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Greece, Jiang said the trip is
aimed at implementing a consultative mechanism between the Chinese
MFA and those countries.

PICCUTA