FEBRUARY 9, 2010 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, IRAN,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000356 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM ETRD MNUC CH JA IR KN SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 9, 2010 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, IRAN, NATO TRANSFORMATION, ESPIONAGE, DISSIDENTS BEIJING 00000356 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. Key points at the February 9, 2010 MFA press briefing were: --Following a meeting with Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department Director Wang Jiarui, DPRK officials stated that North Korea is ready to continue consultations with relevant parties regarding the Six-Party Talks. --China has taken note of Iran's announcement it will produce 20 percent enriched uranium. --China believes that NATO should become a center of consultation and security policy. Under this transformation, NATO should consult with developing countries such as Brazil and China. --Regarding the arrest of U.S. citizen Dongfan Chung for economic espionage, China believes these charges are groundless. --China believes that under Chinese law, there are no dissidents and that all individuals are treated equally under the law and all that violate the law will be brought to justice. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department Director Wang Jiarui held a meeting with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il in the DPRK. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu reported that North Korea was ready to continue consultations with relevant parties regarding the Six-Party Talks. During that meeting, Wang provided greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao and stated that China stood ready to strengthen its cooperation and friendship with the DPRK. ¶3. Ma stated that China believed the issue was complex and sensitive and could only be solved through diplomatic and political efforts. Ma also stated that all parties must show flexibility to cooperate with other involved parties. China was prepared to continue to demonstrate this view. ¶4. In response to a question regarding which Chinese official would lead the Chinese delegation to the Six-Party Talks, Ma stated that "interested parties would know" once the Talks resumed. Ma also confirmed that UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe met with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Tehran's Plans to Produce 20 Percent Enriched Uranium -------------- -------------- ¶5. Ma said he had taken note of the media reports that Iran would begin to produce 20 percent enriched uranium for the Tehran Research �00A;Reactor (TRR) and hoped that relevant parties would exchange views on the draft text proposed by the IAEA and would reach common ground at an early date. ¶6. Regarding sanctions proposed by the U.S. and France, Ma stated that the P5-plus-1 had already discussed the proposal and he hoped that relevant parties would step up and push for continued negotiations. ¶7. Ma addressed this question several times from reporters unsatisfied with his answer. However, he provided no additional clarification. NATO Transformation -------------- ¶8. China believed that NATO should become a center of "consultation and security policy." Under this transformation, NATO should consult with developing countries, such as Brazil and China. Ma added that China hoped this transformation would build "a new strategic vision." He added that the transformation would benefit international peace and social stability and that China and NATO would continue engagement. Espionage -------------- ¶9. Referring to the announced sentence for espionage levied against former Boeing engineer Dongfan "Greg" Chung, Ma declared that allegations accusing China of conducting espionage in the United States were groundless. He stated that parties fabricating such accusations had ulterior motives. BEIJING 00000356 002.2 OF 003 Dissidents -------------- ¶10. In response to a question regarding the case of human rights activist Tan Zuoren, who was sentenced to 5 years in prison for "inciting subversion of state power", Ma stated that he did not know about the case. However, he added that China would handle all such cases according to the law. ¶11. In response to a follow on question about the treatment of dissidents in China who go missing in police custody, Ma stated that there were no dissidents in China and that all individuals were treated equally under the law. He added that any individual who violated Chinese law would be brought to justice. (Note: The questions and answers regarding Tan Zuoren's arrest and the treatment of dissidents were not carried in the MFA's transcript on the Internet.) China's Reaction to Taiwan Arms Sales -------------- ¶12. When asked if China's reaction to the Taiwan arms sale was an attempt to seek greater leadership in the world, Ma stated that such allegations were untenable. He continued by noting that Foreign Minister Yang on February 5 in Munich had stated that China promoted an independent policy of peace, guided by the 5 principles of peaceful co-existence. He stated that China believed all countries were equal, regardless of their size or power, and that no countries should interfere in another's internal affairs. ¶13. Ma added that China was still a developing country that had a long way to go before realizing modernization. He stated that China continued to play a constructive role in the world and only wanted to pursue peaceful development, not hegemony. Recent Elections -------------- ¶14. Asked about China's reaction to recent elections in Costa Rica and the Ukraine, Ma stated that China had noticed these elections were peaceful and congratulated each candidate on their victory. ¶15. Ma added that President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao had delivered congratulations to relevant parties in Costa Rica and hoped to increase trade and economic relations. Ma maintained that China hoped the two countries could strengthen economic and business ties. ¶16. Ma stated that Ukraine was a friendly country and China hoped to see economic development, social stability, and increased relations. Copenhagen Accord -------------- ¶17. Asked about press statements claiming that China did not want to be associated with the Copenhagen accord, Ma stated that China had already submitted its climate change measures. Ma observed that the NDRC had clearly explained China's policies and suggested that interested parties could refer to this already published material. Xinjiang Websites -------------- ¶18. When asked why China's Xinjiang autonomous region continued to have restricted Internet access, Ma stated that such a question was not under the purview of the MFA and that interested parties should contact relevant authorities. However, Ma assured the reporters that China had a free and open Internet. (Note: This item was not carried in the MFA transcript on the Internet.) Indian Missile Tests -------------- ¶19. In response to a question about India's successful February 7 test of an Agni III long range missile, Ma only stated that China and India maintained strong bilateral relations and that such tests would not affect the relationship. Haiti Medical Team -------------- ¶20. Asked to comment on China's efforts in Haiti, Ma stated that BEIJING 00000356 003.2 OF 003 the Chinese medical team had arrived in Haiti on 25 January 2010. As of February 5, the team had treated 3,260 individuals, distributed over 20,000 published materials on epidemic prevention and had maintained exchanges with the WHO and other international bodies. ¶21. Ma added that the Chinese team was the only medical team to practice an "integrated approach to treatment and disease prevention." He told the journalists that the U.N. had thanked China for its support and efforts. Other News -------------- ¶22. When asked about any connection between the Taiwan arms sales and China's imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of U.S. chicken parts, Ma maintained that there was no connection between the two. He suggested that questions related to chicken imports should be directed to the Ministry of Commerce. And when asked about melamine-tainted milk powder, Ma suggested that questions be directed to relevant authorities. HUNTSMAN