MARCH 31 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: HACKING, NORTH KOREAN ROCKET,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000858

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TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EINT CH KS KN JA AF FR IN AS NZ VE
SUBJECT: MARCH 31 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: HACKING, NORTH KOREAN ROCKET,
AFGHANISTAN, TIBET


1. Key points at the March 31 MFA press briefing:

-- China "resolutely opposes the damaging of computer networks
including through hacking."

-- "Relevant parties should stay calm, exercise restraint and do
more to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in
East Asia."

-- Afghanistan is "at a cross-roads" and the international community
should "take measures to promote reconstruction."

-- The "local government will decide" if Tibet is open to
foreigners.

Computer Spying Allegations
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2. China "resolutely opposes the damaging of computer networks
including through hacking," said spokesperson Qin Gang at the March
31 regular MFA press conference. Some outside China are "bent on
making fabrications." Switching to English, Qin said that there is
a "cold war ghost" and a "cold war virus" outside of China that
"attempt to tarnish China with lies." These lies are "doomed to
fail." Asked whether China would investigate the reports of
hacking, Qin said that he thought it was time to "track down" those
who spread the "cold war virus."

North Korea
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3. Asked about reported North Korean rocket launch preparations, Qin
said that "relevant parties should stay calm, exercise restraint and
do more to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in
East Asia." China is "paying close attention" to the issue and will
"stay in close contact" with relevant countries to promote the
Six-Party Talks, said Qin. Asked about the 60th anniversary of
relations between China and North Korea, Qin said that celebrations
are aimed at "increasing mutual understanding." China and North
Korea have a tradition of high-level exchanges and both countries
will need to reach a decision regarding a potential visit of Prime
Minister Wen Jiabao.

Afghanistan
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4. Afghanistan is "at a cross-roads" and the international
community should "take measures to promote reconstruction," said
Qin. At The Hague, Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei will explain
China's policy toward Afghanistan and "call on the international
community to take action." China and Afghanistan are friendly
neighbors and China will assist Afghanistan "within China's
capacity." Asked what resources China would seek in Afghanistan,
Qin said "Afghanistan's stability is the biggest resource."

Tibet
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5. The "local government will decide" if Tibet is open to
foreigners, said Qin. Foreigners who would like to go to Tibet
should apply with the local government. Asked about the role of the
Chinese government-supported Panchen Lama, Qin said that he is "a
religious leader who loves the motherland." China "hopes he will
contribute to the development of Tibet and play a role in
maintaining the territorial integrity of the motherland." Regarding
the Dalai Lama, Qin accused the "Dalai Clique" of "always lying and
twisting facts."

Internet Censorship
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6. "What you can see you can see and what you cannot see you cannot
see" said Qin when asked about continued censorship of Internet site
YouTube. China "administers the internet according to law," said
Qin.

Relations with India
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7. Qin said he was "surprised to see" media reports that India's
military views China as a threat. Chinese and Indian leaders have
"reached a consensus" that the two countries "do not pose a threat"
to one another. China and India are "partners" and China would like
to "promote bilateral ties."

Relations with Australia

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8. The Chinese government supports Chinese companies doing business
with Australian companies "on the basis of mutual benefit," said
Qin. This cooperation will "also benefit Australia."

Visit of Chavez to China
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9. China "welcomes" Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez to visit China,
but the spokesman did not have any information to announce.

Relations with France
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10. The "development" of China-France relations is "the common
aspiration of both peoples," said Qin. China hopes that France will
respond to China's concerns in order to "bring relations back on
track." China and France should "join hands in the face of the
financial crisis" added Qin.

Travel/Visits
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11. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will attend the 12th China-ASEAN
meeting, the 12th ASEAN, China, Korea and Japan meeting, the fourth
Asia Summit and a breakfast meeting with leaders from Korea and
Japan to be held in Thailand from the April 10-12. New Zealand
Prime Minister Helen Clark will visit China from April 14-18. The
Nepal Foreign Minister will visit China from April 4-10.

PICCUTA