March 3 MFA Press Briefing: Bosworth Visit, Afghanistan,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000545 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KS KN AF FR EU IN CH SUBJECT: March 3 MFA Press Briefing: Bosworth Visit, Afghanistan, Dalai Lama, Relics Auction ¶1. Key points at the March 3 MFA press briefing: -- U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Amb. Bosworth will meet both FM Yang Jiechi and VFM Wu Dawei this week. China hopes to exchange views on issues of common interests. The spokesperson reiterated China's hope that recent difficulties are temporary. -- As a close neighbor of Afghanistan, China hopes the political situation there remains stable and reconstruction and development efforts are peaceful. -- China's message to the Dalai Lama has been consistent and clear, and the door for talks is "always open." Talks will not go forward until the Dalai Lama stops advocating "independence disguised as semi-independence." -- China opposes the auction of Chinese cultural relics in France and hopes they are returned. These relics belong to China and were "looted in war." Amb. Bosworth's Visit, Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. At the regularly-scheduled March 3 MFA press briefing, MFA spokesperson Qin Gang announced that U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Amb. Stephen Bosworth arrives in Beijing March 3. Amb. Bosworth will meet both Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and the head of China's delegation to the Six-Party Talks, Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei. The spokesperson said China hopes to take this opportunity to exchange views on issues of common interests, jointly promote the Six-Party process, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The spokesperson noted that there had been some new developments, but reiterated China's hope that the difficulties are temporary. The spokesperson said all six parties should "work together" in a balanced, cooperative way and keep common interests in mind so that the Six-Party process can move to the next phase. Afghanistan -------------- ¶3. In answer to a question about China's contributions to efforts in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said as a close neighbor of Afghanistan, China hopes the political situation there remains stable and reconstruction and development efforts are peaceful. Tibet and the Dalai Lama -------------- ¶4. The Tibetan people live peacefully and a peaceful life is their common aspiration, the spokesperson said. China's message to the Dalai Lama has been consistent and clear, he stated. The door for talks is "always open." For example, there were three separate occasions when the PRC Government met with the Dalai Lama's representatives last year. This underscored China's sincerity and good will. The talks will not go forward until the Dalai Lama stops advocating "independence disguised as semi-independence," the spokesperson said. Auction of Chinese Relics in France -------------- ¶5. China opposes the auction of Chinese cultural relics in France and hopes they are returned, stated the spokesperson. These relics belong to China and were "looted in war." Chinese Toys, Protectionism -------------- ¶6. Questioned about India's recent decision to lift a ban on Chinese toy imports, the spokesperson responded that China is a major toy producer and exporter, and places great importance on the safety of its products. All exports are "strictly examined" and China hopes "relevant countries" will contact Chinese authorities when questions arise, so that China can investigate the producer or manufacturer. China has "repeatedly and unequivocally" urged all countries to work together as they face the Global Financial Crisis to address concerns and avoid the "mistake of protectionism." Airbus Order Cancellation -------------- ¶7. The Civil Aviation Administration of China "never made the decision" to cancel a recent order of Airbus aircraft, according to the spokesperson. Airbus has also clarified this issue, saying this was a false report. Oasis Band Performance Cancelled -------------- BEIJING 00000545 002 OF 002 ¶8. When asked whether an Oasis band member's past participation in a "Free Tibet" concert was related to the cancellation of the British rock group's scheduled performance in China, the spokesperson said the organizer cancelled the performance because of "economic issues." The Ministry of Culture has asked the organizer for more information on the cancellation. Expansion of Chinese State Media -------------- ¶9. In response to a question about the growth of Xinhua and CCTV internationally, the spokesperson said it is up to the companies to determine their international operations. The PRC Government hopes these media outlets can "go global" and increase "mutual understanding" and "friendly exchanges," while presenting a "peaceful image" of China on the world stage. Piccuta