FEBRUARY 23, 2010 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: U.S.-PRC RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000432 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM KN NG DA UN CH IR JA PK IN ZA IS HR, UP SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 23, 2010 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: U.S.-PRC RELATIONS, IRAN, DPRK, CLIMATE, PAKISTAN, GAO ZHISHENG ¶1. Key points at the February 23, 2010 MFA press briefing were: --China looks to the United States to take credible measures to undo the damage to U.S.-PRC relations following arms sales to Taiwan and President Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama. --China hopes relevant parties will show flexibility and resolve the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic means. --Google's public accusations of PRC interference in its operations in China are groundless and accusations of Chinese government involvement are irresponsible and driven by ulterior motives. -- China believes that realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a fundamental interest of all relevant countries and its position will not change in response to recent tension with the United States. U.S.-China Relations -------------- ¶2. China had made stern representations to the United States about President Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama and arms sales to Taiwan and looked to the United States to take credible measures to "undo the damage" caused to the bilateral relationship, spokesperson Qin Gang said at the February 23 regularly scheduled MFA press conference. The spokesperson did not have any information on whether recent bilateral tensions would affect President Hu Jintao's participation at the April Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. The spokesperson also said officials from both countries were already in contact to make preparations for the U.S.-PRC Human Rights Dialogue. Iran Sanctions -------------- ¶3. Asked for comment on potential new sanctions against Iran, Qin stated that the PRC hoped relevant parties would cooperate with the IAEA, show flexibility, step up diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and work for a comprehensive resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic means. East China Sea -------------- ¶4. China's position on territorial claims in the East China Sea was consistent and unequivocal. China and Japan had reached a principled consensus and China would affirm and uphold that consensus, Ma declared in response to a question on the China-Japan territorial dispute in the East China Sea. Whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng -------------- ¶5. In response to an inquiry on the whereabouts of lawyer and rights activist Gao Zhisheng, Qin stated that he did not know the whereabouts of Gao, and when pressed later in the briefing to confirm whether Gao was still alive, Qin reiterated that he did not have any information about Gao. Google -------------- ¶6. Google's public statement of January 20 on Chinese interference in its operations was groundless, according to Qin. The PRC administered the Internet according to the law and its position would not change, according to Qin, who added that Chinese law prohibited computer hacking. Asked about reports that the hacking was traced back to Shanghai Jiaotong University and Lanxiang Vocational School in Shandong province, Qin referred to statements by each school denying involvement. Such reports were groundless and accusations of PRC government involvement were irresponsible and driven by ulterior motives, Qin stated. Sanctions on U.S. Companies -------------- ¶7. Qin stated that China would carry out its pledge to sanction U.S. companies involved in arms sales to Taiwan. When pressed to BEIJING 00000432 002 OF 003 state when the sanctions would commence and what sectors would be targeted, Qin declined to provide additional information. Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula -------------- ¶8. Asked whether recent tension in U.S.-China relations would affect China's position on North Korea, Qin stated that realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and safeguarding peace and stability in Northeast Asia was in the fundamental interest of all relevant countries. In response to a separate question on whether reports that the PRC had urged the DPRK to open up its economy and focus on economic development were accurate, Qin responded that such reports were not consistent with facts and ran counter to the PRC's diplomatic principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. Qin also denied reports that Kim Jong-Il's son, Kim Jong-Un, secretly had visited China, stating categorically that there had been no such visit. OXFAM -------------- ¶9. In response to a question on OXFAM's activities in China, Qin stated that he was not aware of any issue involving OXFAM. China welcomed NGOs to support China's modernization drive, but all NGOs must operate according to Chinese laws. Niger Coup -------------- ¶10. China was following recent political unrest in Niger closely, took note of recent UN, African Union and ECOWAS efforts to mediate the dispute, and called on all parties to resolve differences through dialogue. Copenhagen Accord -------------- ¶11. Qin confirmed that Premier Wen Jiabao had sent a letter to Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen January 29 that indicated that the PRC "positively evaluated" and supported the Copenhagen Accord resulting from the UN Climate Change Conference. Rasmussen had sent a reply letter to Premier Wen February 12 that applauded the positive outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference and expressed appreciation of Premier Wen's "important, constructive role" at the Conference, according to Qin. Resignation at UNFCCC -------------- ¶12. Qin praised outgoing Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Yvo de Boer, stating that China supported de Boer's work as Executive Secretary, and adding that China hoped de Boer would continue his efforts to combat climate change in his new post. Pakistan FM Qureshi Visit -------------- ¶13. Qin confirmed that Pakistan FM Qureshi met FM Yang Jiechi February 22 and Premier Wen Jiabao February 23. In the Yang-Qureshi meeting, FM Yang had called for China and Pakistan to maintain positive momentum in the development of bilateral relations and FM Qureshi had pledged to work with the PRC to enhance cooperation in various fields. Asked to comment on FM Qureshi's February 23 public statement welcoming China to play an intermediary role in resolving the India-Pakistan dispute, Qin stated that Pakistan and India were both important countries in South Asia and that sound Pakistan-India relations were conducive to regional peace and development. China welcomed improvements in Pakistan-India relations as well as efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and negotiation. Zambia President Visit -------------- ¶14. Zambian President Rupiah Banda would make his first visit to China at the invitation of President Hu Jintao from February 24 to March 4. During the visit, President Banda would meet President Hu, NPC Chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao. The two sides would BEIJING 00000432 003 OF 003 discuss the bilateral relationship and sign a business cooperation agreement that would further promote friendship between the countries, according to Qin. Israel Deputy Prime Minister Visit -------------- ¶15. Qin confirmed that Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Moshe ya'Alon would visit China for an in-depth broad exchange with State Councilor Dai Bingguo on issues of mutual interest. Qin added that China hoped that parties in the Middle East would take measures to restore mutual trust and make positive efforts to advance peace talks. Ambassador Bosworth Visit -------------- ¶16. Qin stated that U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Bosworth would visit Beijing February 24 and discuss the Six-Party Talks and other issues of mutual interest with PRC Special Representative for the Six-Party Talks Wu Dawei. Asked to comment on potential U.S.-DPRK meetings, Qin stated that China supported efforts conducive to the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks, but that he could not confirm any plans for U.S.-DPRK interaction. Ukraine Presidential Inauguration -------------- ¶17. PRC Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu will attend Ukrainian President-elect Victor Yanukovich's inauguration February 25 as President Hu's special envoy. Croatian Foreign Minister Visit -------------- ¶18. Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordon Yang will visit China from February 28 to March 4 at the invitation of FM Yang Jiechi. HUNTSMAN