APRIL 2 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: U.S.-CHINA SUMMIT, DPRK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000885 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH KS KN JA FR IN VE SUBJECT: APRIL 2 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: U.S.-CHINA SUMMIT, DPRK "SATELLITE" LAUNCH, PRC-FRANCE RELATIONS, STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC DIALOGUE BEIJING 00000885 001.9 OF 003 ¶1. Key points at the April 2 MFA press briefing: -- President Hu Jintao "explained China's principled position" on the March 8 USNS Impeccable incident in the South China Sea to President Barack Obama. Both sides were committed to promoting continued development of bilateral military-to-military relations. -- Regarding North Korea's plans to launch a satellite, China would "try its utmost" to call on all relevant parties to "remain calm, act cautiously and refrain from actions that would escalate the situation." -- The U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue signaled a "new strategic partnership," as well as the "increased importance of bilateral cooperation." Both sides were committed to a "cooperative, positive and comprehensive partnership for the 21st century." -- The April 1 China-France joint press communiqu was a "formal and serious agreement" that was "carefully negotiated" between the two sides, in which France reaffirmed the "one-China policy" and that "Tibet is a part of China." U.S.-China Summit, Mil-Mil Relations -------------- ¶2. Chinese President Hu Jintao "explained China's principled position" on the March 8 USNS Impeccable incident in the South China Sea to U.S. President Barak Obama, spokesperson Qin Gang said at the April 2 regular MFA press conference. Both sides were committed to promoting continued development in bilateral military-to-military relations, Qin later added. North Korean "Satellite" Launch -------------- ¶3. When asked whether China would support a United Nations Security Council Resolution or a Chairman's Statement in response to a possible North Korean "satellite launch," Qin said he would not comment on an event that had not yet occurred. China was following North Korea's preparations to launch a "satellite" closely. The PRC would "try its utmost" to call on all "relevant parties" to "remain calm, act cautiously and refrain from actions that would escalate the situation." Qin said China urged all parties to deal with the situation from "the overall interests and long-term perspective of peace and stability in the region" and do more to advance the Six-Party Talks. China-France Relations -------------- ¶4. The "severe difficulties" in China-France bilateral relations recently were "known by all," Qin said, asserting that "China was not responsible." China was glad that relations were "getting back to normal." The April 1 China-France joint press communiqu was a "very formal and serious agreement" that was "carefully negotiated" between the two sides, in which "France reaffirms the one-China policy" and that "Tibet is a part of China." China appreciated France's position and wanted to "promote a comprehensive strategic partnership" with France. President Hu met French President Nicolas Sarkozy and "explained China's principled position on the issue of Tibet," Qin added. ¶5. When pressed to comment further on China's attitude toward France's position, Qin replied that he left it to journalists to be able to "judge the difference between appreciation and satisfaction." China hopes "France will follow the principle and spirit of the communiqu" to promote the healthy and stable growth of bilateral relations. ¶6. Pushed for further explanation on whether the communique meant French leaders should not meet with the Dalai Lama or issue a visa to the Dalai Lama, and whether the joint communiqu allowed China to decide what activities constituted Tibetan independence activities in France, Qin said the "Chinese Government position on Tibet is clear and steadfast." China "resolutely opposes" the Dalai Lama's activities overseas to "split the motherland" under any pretext and "opposes foreign leaders meeting with the Dalai Lama." "No country in the world recognizes the Tibetan government-in-exile," Qin continued, asserting that this is "the international community's consensus." A "few Tibetan separatists attempt to undermine China's relationships with other countries," but this is a question of "basic norms governing international relations, international laws and respect for other countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity." China would never interfere in another country's internal affairs but "asks that all countries abide by the basic BEIJING 00000885 002 OF 003 norms governing international relations." Strategic and Economic Dialogue -------------- ¶7. The Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Strategic and Economic Dialogue were "not only different because of the addition of one word," Qin stated in response to a question on why China and the United States had changed the mechanism for high-level bilateral dialogue. Rather, the change signaled a "new strategic partnership" and the "increased importance" of bilateral cooperation. In the previous Strategic Economic Dialogue, both sides only had one "special presidential representative," but under the new Strategic and Economic Dialogue, both sides would have two special presidential representatives, which elevated the dialogue to a higher level." ¶8. The two dialogues were also different, Qin said, because the Strategic Economic Dialogue previously was held twice a year, but the new Strategic and Economic Dialogue would occur annually. Both sides "attached great importance to the mechanism" and thought it was important to "promote dialogue" to discuss global and bilateral issues. Qin said this would promote dialogue in all fields. The previous U.S. administration "laid a solid foundation" with the Strategic Economic Dialogue, Qin said, adding that the new U.S. administration was aiming for more concrete results. ¶9. When pressed for a further explanation as to why it was necessary to change the dialogue mechanism, and whether reducing the frequency of meetings actually signaled a lessening of the importance of U.S.-China relations, Qin said it was a "technical issue" whether the meetings were held once or twice a year, and that the "frequency of meetings" did not signal the importance of the dialogue. The "new U.S. administration had a new way of doing things" Qin stated. Both sides were committed to a "cooperative, positive and comprehensive partnership for the 21st century," he said. China's Stance on "Blacklisting" Tax Havens -------------- ¶10. When asked for a reaction to French President Sarkozy's comments on April 1 that China's position on not "blacklisting" uncooperative tax havens was a major obstacle to reaching a deal at the G-20 summit because China wanted to protect Hong Kong and Macao, Qin said he had not read Sarkozy's comments but noted that China had acted "responsibly" since the start of the global economic crisis. China held that the "international community should work together" to respond to the financial crisis. The PRC was "actively taking part in the effort to reform the international financial system" and "cannot accept any allegation" that China is obstructing this process. China is a "cooperative partner" in the global response to the financial crisis. Beijing supports the international community in making a "coordinated effort" on the issue of tax havens. China has "different views on the present status of Hong Kong and Macao" and regarding listing them as tax havens, because they were "different from other regions." China was "against listing" Hong Kong and Macao as tax havens. Chinese Participation in ASEAN Meetings -------------- ¶11. Qin said Prime Minister Wen Jiabao would attend the 12th China-ASEAN meeting, the 12th ASEAN-China-Korea-Japan meeting, the fourth Asia Summit and a breakfast meeting with leaders from Korea and Japan, to be held in Thailand April 10-12. China looked at these meetings in the context of the global economic crisis and would be "looking for East Asian cooperation to boost confidence in East Asian countries," and for "East Asian countries to join hands" to face the economic crisis together. ¶12. Premier Wen would "affirm the 10-plus-1 results," explain China's position on regional development in East Asia and propose "a number of initiatives" on how to improve 10-plus-1 and 10-plus-3 cooperation." China and ASEAN had a "sound relationship" and were "strategic partners" who had eleven specific areas of cooperation. Both were "important trade partners," and "smooth cooperation" was important for both. China and ASEAN "face common challenges." China was willing to work with ASEAN to "tide over the difficulties" and address the crisis, "further develop cooperation and create a peaceful, equal and win-win regional environment." Visit of Chavez to China -------------- ¶13. China welcomed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to visit China, Qin said. China was "continuing consultations" with Venezuela on BEIJING 00000885 003 OF 003 the details of Chavez's visit. Qin said he had no additional information beyond what he provided at the March 31 press briefing. Other Travel/Visits -------------- ¶14. State Councilor Liu Yandong would visit the United States and Singapore April 11-25. Liu would hold "extensive exchange of views on bilateral issues" and issues of "mutual importance." Kyrgyzstan Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbaev would visit China April 5-7 at the invitation of PRC Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. The Chinese Government welcomed Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhom of Thailand to visit China April 3-10. PICCUTA