VZCZCXRO9465
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2360/01 1001023
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 101023Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6669
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6534
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0073
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002360
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MNUC KPAL PK VM
SUBJECT: APRIL 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
SUDAN, SOUTH CHINA SEA, VISITS
1. Key Points at the April 10 MFA Press Conference by MFA
Spokesman Qin Gang were:
-- The MFA would not comment on the likelihood of the DPRK's
meeting the April 13 deadline, nor would they give details on
A/S Hill's visit to Beijing or a possible meeting with VFM Wu.
-- Asked if China was to blame for the BDA impasse, Qin said
China and Macau financial institutions must follow
responsibilities under international laws and regulations.
-- AFM Zhai Jun proposed a solution to the Darfur issue in
meetings with President al-Bashir, but Qin declined to give
further details.
-- Sudan "on principle" is willing to work and discuss the
details of former UN Secretary General Annan's plan for a
joint UN/AU peacekeeping force in Darfur.
-- Vietnam's "new moves" in the Spratly Islands are "illegal
and invalid," as they infringe on China's undisputed
sovereignty of the Islands and violate Sino-Vietnamese
agreements.
6PT Deadlines, BDA, A/S Hill-VFM Wu Meeting
-------------------------------------------
2. MFA Spokesman Qin Gang at the April 10 regular press
briefing deflected a question on whether Yongbyon would be
shut down by the "sixty-day deadline," reiterating that the
resolve and common consensus among all parties remained
unchanged. The Six-Party Talks have never been "smooth
sailing" and encountering difficulties in the process of
implementing the initial actions is natural, he added. Also
on the topic of Yongbyon, Qin suggested reporters see DRPK
VFM Kim Kye-gwan's remarks in a meeting with Governor
Richardson of New Mexico.
3. The spokesman had heard news that A/S Hill will visit
Beijing this week but did not provide any details. Asked if
A/S Hill would meet with VFM Wu Dawei, Qin said he had not
heard of plans for such a meeting. However, he reported VFM
Wu is in the ROK with PM Wen and A/S Hill is in Asia as well.
4. Asked if China should be held accountable for the Banco
Delta Asia issue which held up the most recent phase of
Six-Party Talks, Qin told the Japanese reporter if she does
not understand why the Bank of China did not accept the money
transfer she can ask a Japanese bank if it would do so. The
spokesman noted the United States and DPRK are the principal
parties involved and that the concerns of all parties,
including China and Macau, must be addressed. Both China and
Macau financial institutions have to follow their
responsibilities and obligations under international laws and
regulations.
AFM Zhai Makes Proposal to Sudan President
------------------------------------------
5. During his recent visit to Sudan AFM Zhai Jun proposed a
solution to the Darfur issue in meetings with President
al-Bashir of Sudan and other senior leaders, in addition to
visiting three refugee camps. Qin declined to give details
on the so-called "proposal," stating the MFA will provide
more information after AFM Zhai returns to Beijing. Qin
added that Sudan "on principle" is willing to work and
discuss the details of former UN Secretary General Annan's
plan and is willing to coordinate with other parities. China
hopes that UN troops will be deployed. The UN and AU should
cooperate on the details. The spokesman also reported VFM
Dai Bingguo spoke on the phone with Deputy Secretary
Negroponte about the Darfur issue, and called for a solution
to be reached through political negotiations.
United States Files WTO Complaints
----------------------------------
6. Asked for comments on WTO complaints filed against China
by the United States on issues of IPR violations and market
access, Qin referred reporters to a statement released by the
Ministry of Commerce.
Vietnam Moves in Spratly Islands "Illegal and Invalid"
--------------------------------------------- ---------
7. Vietnam's "new moves" in the Spratly Islands are "illegal
and invalid," as they infringe on China's undisputed
sovereignty of the Islands and violate the Declaration on the
Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, said Qin when
prompted by a CCTV reporter. All parties have made efforts
BEIJING 00002360 002 OF 002
to ensure the stability of the South China Sea, but Vietnam's
recent actions in the area, expanding bidding for natural
resources and cooperating with British Petroleum on a
pipeline violate consensus and is not conducive to peace.
China expresses great concern and has made solemn
representation to Vietnam.
Visits: Pakistan, Hungary, Cuba
-------------------------------
8. At the invitation of PM Wen Jiabao, Pakistan PM Aziz will
pay an official visit to China April 16-20 before attending
the 2007 Boao Forum for Asia April 20-21. At the invitation
of FM Li Zhaoxing, Hungary FM Goncz will pay a working visit
to China April 14-19 and Cuba FM Perez Roque will pay an
official visit China April 15-18.
RANDT