Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING885
2009-04-03 00:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM CH KS KN JA FR IN VE 
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INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4531
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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


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

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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

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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