JANUARY 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CHINA'S INTERNET, HAITI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000104 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MNUC ETRD CH TW IR IN JA AU SUBJECT: JANUARY 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CHINA'S INTERNET, HAITI EARTHQUAKE, P5+1, CADMIUM JEWELRY ¶1. Key points at the January 14 MFA press briefing were: --"China's Internet is open and the Chinese Government encourages the development and application of the Internet and creates a favorable environment." --"China's law prohibits cyber attacks, including hacking" and China "welcomes international Internet businesses to China." -- The Chinese government expresses its "condolences and sympathy to Haitian government and the people of Haiti" for the devastation caused by the earthquake on January 12. --The Chinese government has learned that four Chinese peace keepers and four Ministry of Public Security officials remain under the rubble in Haiti. --Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei will not be able to attend the P5+1 meeting in New York on the Iranian nuclear issue due to "scheduling reasons." Internet with Chinese Characteristics -------------- ¶2. "China's Internet was open and the Chinese Government encouraged the development and application of the Internet and created a favorable environment" for the Internet in China, MFA spokesperson Jiang Yu said in response to the first of a barrage of questions about Google's announcement that it was considering withdrawing from China due to censorship and cyber attacks. Jiang said that "China's law prohibited cyber attacks, including hacking" and that China "welcomed international Internet businesses to China." China had "explained its position" to the U.S. government. Asked if the U.S. Secretary of State's public comments regarding Google possibly withdrawing from the Chinese market would damage bilateral relationships Jiang reiterated that Chinese government "made its position clear" to the United States. ¶3. When asked to acknowledge that "YouTube" was blocked in China, Jiang said she was unaware of the issue and could not offer confirmation, but emphasized that the "Chinese government administered the Internet according to the law" adding there were "explicit stipulations on what could be spread over the Internet." Another journalist asked if the Chinese government was responsible for cyber attacks against the email accounts of human rights activists, and Jiang replied that "Chinese law prohibited any form of cyber attacks, including hacking" but avoided a follow-up question on whether Chinese government hackers would be held 
accountable to the same laws. ¶4. Responding to questions focused on how hackers would be punished, why Google decided to consider withdrawing from China and how China would investigate alleged cyber attacks, Jiang referred journalists to the "relevant authorities." When one journalist noted that, despite repeated attempts, no one seemed able to identify the "relevant authorities" Jiang suggested that journalists could fax their questions to the MFA, which would relay them to the competent authorities. Jiang acknowledged that journalists might "encounter difficulties" but offered to assist and said her office would provide the phone number for the still unnamed competent authorities. Chinese Response to Earthquake in Haiti -------------- ¶5. Jiang responded to several questions about the earthquake recovery effort in Haiti. The Chinese government expressed its "condolences and sympathy to the Haitian government and the people of Haiti" for the devastation caused by the earthquake on January ¶12. The Chinese government had learned that four Chinese peace keepers and four Ministry of Public Security officials remained under the rubble in Haiti and their condition was unknown. Other Chinese personnel in Haiti were safe. The Chinese government was concerned for "Chinese citizens and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan" in Haiti. China's peace keeping antiriot unit which was previously deployed in Haiti was assisting recovery efforts. China was "keeping a close eye on the situation and would spare no effort to protect the safety of overseas Chinese" in Haiti. "The Chinese government placed great store on the safety of overseas Chinese no matter where they were and the government would spare no effort to help" overseas Chinese. When asked about how China obtained information on the situation in Haiti when China and BEIJING 00000104 002 OF 003 Haiti had no diplomatic relations, Jiang replied that China used various channels to get information and coordinated with relevant authorities to conduct rescue work. (Note: Haiti has diplomatic relations with Taiwan, not the PRC) Jiang confirmed that the Chinese government held an inter-ministerial meeting on the morning of January 14 regarding the earthquake in Haiti and the "MFA would coordinate and assist other parties to make proper arrangements for overseas Chinese in Haiti." Jiang replied to a question about whether China and Taiwan were coordinating their rescue and relief effort in Haiti by noting that China was ready to assist any "Taiwan compatriots" should they need assistance. Chinese Participation in P5+1 Meeting -------------- ¶6. When asked whether China would attend the P5+1 meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue planned for January 16 in New York City, Jiang said the relative parties were "staying in close communication and coordination" on the specifics of the meeting but that due to "scheduling reasons" Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei would not be able to attend. China supported the "peaceful resolution" of the Iranian nuclear issue and encouraged all sides to be "flexible" to seek a proper resolution of the issue. Cadmium in Jewelry -------------- ¶7. Jiang answered a question about reports that children's jewelry made in China was found to contain cadmium by first noting that the MFA was not the office responsible for such matters and then by stating that the Chinese government "attached great importance to the safety of China's products" and particularly its exports. Currency Exchange Rate -------------- ¶8. "Maintaining the stability of the Renminbi is not only important for China's economic development but also for world economic development" Jiang said in response to a question about incoming EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht's criticism of China's currency policy. Forum for East Asia and Latin America Cooperation -------------- -------------- ¶9. Jiang confirmed that Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi would attend the Forum for East Asia and Latin America Cooperation Fourth Foreign Ministers meeting in Tokyo on January 16 and 17. The Forum played "an important role" as the "only official multilateral dialogue between East Asia and Latin America" to enhance cooperation between the two regions. The Fourth Foreign Ministers meeting would focus on responding to the global financial crisis, the environment and social inclusiveness. Jiang said the "release of the Tokyo declaration" would "inject dynamism" into the future of the forum. China "attached great importance" to the forum and would work with other parties for the "stable development of relations between countries." Yang would hold bilateral meetings on the evening of January 16 and the morning of January 17 with the foreign ministers from Argentina, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and other nations. Jiang said additional information would be released later. Chinese Engineers Prosecuted in India -------------- ¶10. Jiang said that the MFA and Chinese Embassy in New Delhi would help the Shandong Electric Company "safeguard the lawful rights and interests" of three engineers from the Shandong Electric Company who were prosecuted in India following the collapse of a chimney they helped construct in September 2009. Indian Diamond Traders Arrested in China -------------- ¶11. Jiang confirmed that 21 Indian diamond traders were arrested in Shenzhen on January 8, and the Indian Embassy had sent someone to visit them. China would "guarantee their legitimate rights and interests according to the law." Kim Jong-Il Visit to China -------------- BEIJING 00000104 003 OF 003 ¶12. When asked about reports that Kim Chong-il might visit China, Jiang replied that she had no information regarding any future visit. Chinese Nationals Detained in Afghanistan -------------- ¶13. Jiang said she had no information about reports that two Chinese nationals were detained in Afghanistan carrying 810,000 Euros in cash. If the reports were true "China would seek to protect and guarantee their rights and interests." Climate Meeting -------------- ¶14. Jiang said she did not have information on China's request for a meeting with Brazil, South Africa and India to discuss the Copenhagen summit and environmental issues. Liberian Visit to China -------------- ¶15. Jiang announced that, at the invitation of Yang Jiechi, Liberian Foreign Minister Olubanke King Akerele would visit China from January 20 to 25. Chinese Visit to Indonesia -------------- ¶16. Jiang announced that State Councilor Dai Bingguo would visit Indonesia and Brunei from January 21 to 26 at the invitation of Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Law, Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sutjipto. HUNTSMAN