Cablegate: November 30 Mfa Press Briefing: Six-Party Talks,

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TAGS: PREL CH
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
US-CHINA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE, NYT REPORTER ZHAO
YAN, IRAQ, DEPUTY FM ZHAI JUN VISIT TO ISRAEL-PALESTINE,
CATHOLIC BISHOPS, CHRISTIAN SECT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT,
CHINA-JAPAN MILITARY EXCHANGES, WEN AND FM LI TO ATTEND
ASEAN

1. Key Points at the November 30 MFA Press Conference
were:

-- Meetings between the heads of the Six-Party Talks
delegations from China, the United States and the DPRK
were helpful. No date for the talks has been set.

-- The United States-China Strategic Economic Dialogue
co-chaired by Treasury Secretary Paulson and VPM Wu Yi
will be held in Beijing December 14-15.

-- New York Times reporter Zhao Yan is being tried in
accordance with Chinese law. A verdict on his re-
trial is expected tomorrow.

-- Chinese Deputy FM Zhai Jun will visit the Israel-
Palestine region to exchange views and promote the
peace process.

-- Appointing Bishops is an internal affair of China.
The Vatican should consider its historical
relationship with China and sever diplomatic relations
with Taiwan.

-- The execution of members of a Christian sect in
Northeast China is a judicial matter, not related to
religion.

-- Premier Wen and FM Li Zhaoxing will attend ASEAN 1,
ASEAN 3 and East Asia Summit meetings in the
Philippines.

-- FM Li meets with new WHO Director General Margaret
Chan and guests from over 30 WHO countries.

MFA Offers No New Information on Six-Party Talks
--------------------------------------------- ---

2. Asked repeatedly what new developments came out of
informal talks this week between EAP A/S Christopher
Hill, Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and DPRK Vice
Foreign Minister Kim Gye-gwan, MFA Spokesperson Jiang
Yu said that bilateral and trilateral talks between
the three delegations were helpful. She reiterated
China's hopes that all parties can take full use of
this opportunity and take a flexible and constructive
attitude for an in-depth exchange of ideas so as to
create conditions for the early re-launching and
success of the Six-Party Talks. Jiang had no
information on a meeting today between VFM Wu and VFM
Kim, when asked for comment by a Fuji TV (Japan)
reporter.

First US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue to be Held
--------------------------------------------- --------

3. Jiang announced that the United States-China
Strategic Economic Dialogue co-chaired by Treasury
Secretary Paulson and VPM Wu Yi will be held in

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Beijing December 14-15. President Hu and Premier Wen
will meet the U.S. delegation respectively. The
dialogue will focus on economic and trade cooperation
and the stability of the global economy.

NYT Reporter Zhao Yan Tried by Rule of Law
------------------------------------------

4. In response to a question regarding tomorrow's
verdict in the second trial of New York Times reporter
Zhao Yan and the implications for freedom of press in
China, Jiang said the case has been "tried in
accordance with Chinese law."

View on Iraq Study Group Consensus
----------------------------------

5. When asked about China's opinion on the consensus
reached by the Iraq Study Group, Jiang replied that
China advocates a withdrawal of foreign troops from
Iraq in accordance with UNSC resolutions,
stabilization of the region and Iraqi self-governance.
She said further diplomatic engagement with
neighboring countries would be conducive to peace and
stability in the region.

Deputy FM Zhai Jun to Visit Israel and Palestine
--------------------------------------------- ---

BEIJING 00024200 002 OF 002

SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
US-CHINA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE, NYT REPORTER ZHAO
YAN, IRAQ, DEPUTY FM ZHAI JUN VISIT TO ISRAEL-PALESTINE,
CATHOLIC BISHOPS, CHRISTIAN SECT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT,
CHINA-JAPAN MILITARY EXCHANGES, WEN AND FM LI TO ATTEND
ASEAN

6. When asked to comment on recent peace overtures
between Israel and Palestine, Jiang replied that China
appreciates measures taken by both sides to ease
tensions and hopes that both parties will take
concrete steps to quickly resume peace talks. She
noted that as a UNSC member, China is devoted to
solving the Middle East issue and will send Deputy FM
Zhai Jun to visit relevant countries to exchange views
and promote resumption of the peace process.

Appointing Bishops is an Internal Affair of China
--------------------------------------------- ----

7. In reply to a reporter's comment that the recent
appointment of a new Catholic Bishop in China without
Vatican approval would anger the Vatican, Jiang said
China hopes the Vatican would consider the two
parties' historical relationship and current status of
the Chinese Catholic Church to elect its own Bishops.
She repeated China's position that the Vatican must
sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan and not
interfere in the internal affairs of China, even under
the pretext of religion. China hopes to explore
improving relations with the Vatican based on these
principles.

Executing Christian Sect Members is a Judicial Matter
--------------------------------------------- --------

8. Responding to recent reports of sentencing to death
members of a Christian sect for crimes in Heilongjiang
province, Jiang said that this is a judicial matter
being handled by relevant judicial departments in
accordance with Chinese law and is not related to
religion.

China, Japan to Enhance Military Exchange
-----------------------------------------

9. Chinese People's Liberation Army Assistant to the
Chief of General Staff Zhang Qinsheng had
consultations with Japanese Defense Agency Vice
Minister Takemasa Moriya on Wednesday afternoon during
the 7th Sino-Japan defense and security talks, said
Jiang. The two parties decided to enhance exchanges
and arrange for high level military visits. The
meeting marks the turning of a new page in the two
nations' ties and will play a positive role in
promoting the bilateral relationship, added Jiang.

Premier Wen, FM Li to Attend December Meetings in
Philippines
--------------------------------------------- ---------

10. Premier Wen will attend the Tenth ASEAN 1 Summit,
Tenth ASEAN 3 Summit and Second East Asia Summit
during a visit to the Philippines December 11-14. In
addition, he will chair the Seventh China-Japan-ROK
Summit and pay a formal state visit to the Philippines
at the invitation of President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo. Immediately preceding Premier Wen's visit
from December 9-10, Chinese Foreign Minister Li will
attend the ASEAN 1 Foreign Ministers Meeting, attend
the Foreign Ministers Working Luncheons of ASEAN 3 and
East Asian Summit and chair the Fourth China-Japan-ROK
Tri-party Committee Meeting at the invitation of
Philippines Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo, Jiang
said.

FM Li Meets with New WHO Chief Margaret Chan
--------------------------------------------

11. Newly Elected Director General of the WHO Margaret
Chan visited China November 27-30 to exchange ideas
with relevant departments of the Chinese government,
Jiang said. On November 29 FM Li held a reception for
Chan that included guests from over 30 member
countries of the Executive Board of the WHO and
representatives from various United Nations
institutions in China.
Randt

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