Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING807
2009-03-26 10:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

MARCH 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MILITARY POWER REPORT, TIBET,

Tags:  PREL PGOV MARR PHUM EINT CH KS KN JA RS AF FR TW 
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FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3110
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000807 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PHUM EINT CH KS KN JA RS AF FR TW

SUBJECT: MARCH 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MILITARY POWER REPORT, TIBET,
TAIWAN AND WHA, NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000807

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PHUM EINT CH KS KN JA RS AF FR TW

SUBJECT: MARCH 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MILITARY POWER REPORT, TIBET,
TAIWAN AND WHA, NORTH KOREA


1. Key points at the March 26 MFA press briefing:

-- The recently released China Military Power Report "contains gross
distortions of fact" and China has expressed its "resolute
opposition" and "made representations" to the United States.

-- The "Dalai Clique premeditated and coordinated" the Lhasa riots
of March 14, 2008 while Chinese law enforcement carried out their
duties "with restraint and in a civilized manner" and did not use
"lethal weapons."

-- Responding to a question on Taiwan's participation in the World
Health Assembly, the spokesman said that China and Taiwan "can have
practical coordination and make arrangements."

-- The spokesman has "seen reports" that North Korea has begun
assembling a missile for a potential test launch.

China Military Power Report
--------------


2. The recently released China Military Power Report from the U.S.
Defense Department "continues to play up the fallacy of the
so-called China military threat theory," said spokesperson Qin Gang
at the March 26 regular MFA press conference. The report "contains
gross distortions of fact" and China has expressed its "resolute
opposition" and "made representations" to the United States. The
United States "must stop its
Cold War mentality and bias" as well as "stop issuing the so-called
report" to avoid "further damaging" the bilateral and military
relationships. China is dedicated to "peace and stability," and it
is the "sacred duty" of the Chinese military to safeguard the
territorial integrity and "maritime interests" of China, said Qin.
Asked if China would release its own report on the United States
military, Qin said that the "expansion of the U.S. military around
the world is well known" so no report is necessary.

Tibet
--------------


3. It is "obvious" that the "Dalai Clique" learned its editing
skills from the Western media, said Qin, when asked about a video

circulating on the Internet purporting to show police brutality in
Tibet. The "Dalai Clique premeditated and coordinated" the Lhasa
riots of March 14, 2008, said Qin. Chinese law enforcement carried
out their duties "with restraint and in a civilized manner" and did
not use "lethal weapons." Qin asked reporters whether they had
forgotten the "violent crimes, social damage and loss of life"
associated with the riots. The "Dalai Clique's purpose in releasing
this footage is clear," said Qin. "You talk about this footage but
still don't notice the innocent civilians who were beaten to death"
or "the five Chinese girls who lost their lives." The "Dalai
Clique" is still trying to "deny the facts" and carry out separatist
activities, yet these efforts "will get nowhere." Qin instructed an
attendant to hand the reporter two DVDs on Tibet and urged the
reporter to "put these on the Internet too." Tibet is "open" and
will welcome foreign journalists "depending on local capacity."
Pressed on whether the MFA believes the Internet footage to be
false, Qin said that relevant Tibet Autonomous Region authorities
had already commented on the issue.

Taiwan and WHA
--------------


4. Asked about the possibility of admitting Taiwan into the World
Health Assembly (WHA),Qin cited President Hu Jintao as saying "a
reasonable arrangement could be made" as long as the one China
policy is upheld. "The two sides can have practical coordination
and make arrangements," said Qin. China encourages the United
States to oppose Taiwan independence, uphold the joint communiques
and take concrete action to improve cross-Strait relations.

North Korea Launch
--------------


5. The spokesman has "seen reports" that North Korea has begun
assembling a missile for a potential test launch. Asked whether
China has been informed by North Korea of its intent to conduct a
missile test, Qin noted that North Korea has already "informed
relevant international organizations." China hopes that "all
relevant parties will exercise restraint and be calm." Relevant
parties should take steps "conducive to the Six-Party Talks and
peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." Asked about reports
that North Korea may be facing food shortages, Qin said that "it is
up the North Koreans" to say whether they are short of food. As "a
good neighbor," China provides food assistance within its ability to
North Korea.


BEIJING 00000807 002 OF 002


Afghanistan Conferences
--------------


6. China will "keep an open mind to any proposals conducive to peace
and stability" during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization
meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow and the UN meeting on Afghanistan
at the Hague. China and Russia are "important players in the
region" and China is "ready to play its due role."

Relations with France
--------------


7. China "attaches great importance" to relations with France, said
Qin. However, "difficulties" in the relationship are not caused by
China. China hopes that France will recognize China's core
interests and concerns and make positive responses to improve
relations. China welcomes the visits of former French leaders who
"have long been dedicated" to the bilateral relationship. China is
"ready to work with people who are supportive of friendship between
the two countries."

PICCUTA