JANUARY 26, 2010 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN ARMS SALES,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000209 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM MASS EINT TINT SENV CH AF HA SUBJECT: JANUARY 26, 2010 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN ARMS SALES, TALKS WITH DALAI LAMA REPRESENTATIVES, INTERNET FREEDOM, HAITI, GAO ZHISHENG QKey points at the January 26 MFA press briefing were: -- China remains "consistent, unequivocal, and firm" in its opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. -- China supports a stable U.S.-China relationship that adheres to the three Joint Communiques and the Joint Statement released during the visit of President Obama. -- Chinese officials will meet with visiting representatives of the Dalai Lama at the request of the Dalai Lama. -- China has provided 38 million USD in in-kind and financial assistance for disaster relief efforts in Haiti. U.S. Arms Sale to Taiwan -------------- ¶2. At the January 26 regularly scheduled Foreign Ministry press briefing, Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu stated that China was "firmly against" U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. China had made many representations to the U.S. on the issue in the past and its opposition remained "consistent, unequivocal, and firm." Ma urged the United States to respect the three Joint Communiques, especially the principles in the August 17, 1982 Joint Communique. Ma said that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could impair the U.S.-China relationship. ¶3. Overall, the U.S.-China relationship over the past year had been stable, Ma said. Both sides shouldQrish this "hard-won achievement" and urged the U.S. to continue to promote the fundamental interests of both countries by adhering to the three Joint Communiques and the Joint Statement released during the November, 2009 visit to China by President Obama. Dalai Lama's Special Envoy Visit to China -------------- ¶4. In response to questions regarding the announced visit to China by representatives of the Dalai Lama, Ma stated that Chinese officials would meet with the representatives at the request of the Dalai Lama. China hoped the Dalai Lama would "cherish the opportunity" presented by the consultations with the Chinese government. China's Internet -------------- ¶5. Ma asserted that China enjoyed extensive freedom of expression. He noted that since the political turmoil of the late 1980s, the Chinese people have chosen the path of "correct development." ¶6. Internet security was a global problem and the Chinese government opposed any form of cyber attack, Ma stated. He noted that the Chinese government's position was unequivocal in supporting international cooperation against hacking and in ensuring the protection of its citizens. China's Earthquake Disaster Relief in HaiQ -------------- ¶7. Ma announced that China's efforts to provide disaster relief and assistance for reconstruction efforts in Haiti would respect Haiti's sovereignty and territorial integrity. China had provided 38 million USD in in-kind and financial assistance for disaster relief efforts, Ma said. He noted that China's experience in responding to the Sichuan earthquake would help Chinese efforts to rebuild Haiti alongside the international community. ¶8. Chinese consular officials had helped Chinese citizens stranded in Haiti to return to China on a charter plane, Ma announced. Whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng -------------- ¶9. In response to a question regarding the location of human rights advocate Gao Zhisheng, Ma replied that he had no information on Gao's current location. He noted that there were 1.3 billion people in China and the Chinese government did not know where specific individuals would be located at all times. Way Ahead on Copenhagen Agreement -------------- ¶10. Ma stated the Chinese government supported the agreements concluded during the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change because they reflected the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) principle of "common but differentiated BEIJING 00000209 002.2 OF 002 responsibilities." The next step would be to translate the consensus reached at the Conference into specific tasks and to hold working level meetings as early as possible. He concluded that China would affirm emission mitigation and reduction agreements reached in Copenhagen. Response to Iran's Nuclear Program -------------- ¶11. Ma stated that China's approach to Iran's nuclear program was consistent and emphasized dialogue and cooperation. There was "still room for diplomatic efforts," said Ma, and China would emphasize flexibility and pragmatism in these efforts. Kidnapped Chinese Engineers in Afghanistan -------------- ¶12. Ma stated that China was making every effort to rescue two Chinese engineers who had been kidnapped in Afghanistan January 16. HUNTSMAN