March 3 MFA Press Briefing: Bosworth Visit, Afghanistan,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000545

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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
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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.
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