Cablegate: December 19 Mfa Press Briefing: Six-Party Talks,

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM MNUC KN KS IN JA CH
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
FINANCIAL SANCTIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS CASES, UNITED
STATES-INDIA NUCLEAR LEGISLATION, EU ARMS EMBARGO, CHINESE
VISITS TO JAPAN AND ASEAN MEETINGS

1. Key Points at the December 19 MFA Press Conference
were:

-- With resumption of Six-Party Talks and bilateral
talks between the United States and DPRK, all parties
maintain hope that the Talks can press ahead toward
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "Visible
and sharp" differences were apparent at the outset.
There is no deadline for ending of the Talks.

-- China hopes financial "sanctions" issues can be
resolved at an early date to prevent them from
disturbing the Six-Party Talks.

-- China had no comment on the reported 20-year
espionage sentence given to CASS sociologist Lu
Jianhua or the house arrest of dissident Hu Jia.

-- China "took note" of United States-India nuclear
cooperation legislation in the United States.

-- China opposes the "out-of-date" EU arms embargo.

-- Chinese leaders will visit Japan next year,
although there are no details about that trip or about
Chinese participation in rescheduled ASEAN meetings.

Six-Party Talks Underway
------------------------

2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang announced in the regular
December 19 press briefing that the heads of
delegation of the Six-Party Talks discussed this
morning how to finalize the September 2005 Joint
Statement. Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei stated
China's position that parties must make realistic
choices and define specific actions to take at the
current stage. Although differences were "visible and
sharp," at the initial meeting, Qin said, all parties
hope to find similarities and common positions in
order to press ahead with denuclearization of the
Korean peninsula and to finalize the Joint Statement.
There is no stated deadline for the Talks, Qin said,
and any such deadline will be decided by consensus of
all the parties.

3. Qin gave no specifics in response to repeated
questions about discussion of financial "sanctions"
and the financial issues working group. Measures
taken in the Macao SAR will be handled in accordance
with facts and legal requirements, he said. China
hopes the parties can settle the issue at an early
date to prevent the issue from disrupting the Six-
Party Talks. Asked about the purpose of UNSCR 1718,
Qin said that the resolution's goal is to solve the
DPRK nuclear issue through consultation not sanctions.

4. Asked about bilateral meetings in the Six-Party
process, Qin said he had heard the United States and
DPRK might meet bilaterally but had no information
about the substance of such a meeting. He confirmed
that at least twelve bilateral meetings took place
involving various parties since December 17.

5. A reporter asked about reports that EAP Assistant
Secretary Hill was disappointed with the lack of

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progress so far in the Talks. Qin said the meetings
have just begun and all participants should exert more
patience. The Talks are like a marathon that parties
must run to build up patience and endurance, he said.

Human Rights: 20-Year Sentence For Sociologist
--------------------------------------------- -

6. Qin ducked a question by a Reuters' reporter about
the espionage conviction of CASS Sociologist Lu
Jianhua, who was reportedly sentenced to 20 years in
prison. He similarly had no information in response
to a question asserting that dissident Hu Jia has been
held in house arrest for five months. Qin referred
reporters to the Justice Ministry and said China is a
country ruled by law that acts in accordance with
rules and regulations.

7. China has taken note that President Bush signed the
United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation
Act and believes that nuclear cooperation on the
peaceful use of nuclear energy should be conducive to

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the maintenance of principles and efficacy of
international nonproliferation mechanisms, Qin said
when asked for a comment on the bill.

8. China opposes the "out-of-date" European Union's
arms embargo against China, Qin said in response to a
question about the impact that the outgoing Finnish
Presidency of the EU had on the arms embargo. The
purpose of China's opposition is not to buy weapons,
but rather to have a relationship based on equality
and mutual benefit. China and the EU enjoy a
strategic partnership. The EU has expressed its
commitment to lifting the ban, he said.

Chinese Visits to Japan, ASEAN meetings
---------------------------------------

9. Chinese leaders have agreed to make high-level
visits to Japan next year, but no specific dates or
participants have been confirmed, Qin said. China
supports the Philippines' efforts to host the ASEAN
summits, Qin said, but would not provide details about
Premier Wen's travel except to say that the visit
would be discussed through diplomatic channels.

Randt

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