VZCZCXYZ0023
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBJ #2443/01 1021021
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121021Z APR 07 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6792
INFO RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 1286
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0077
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3110
RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA PRIORITY 0020
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 4311
UNCLAS BEIJING 002443
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MNUC KN KS VM JA KG CD IN SU
SUBJECT: APRIL 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, BDA,
JAPAN, SOUTH CHINA SEA, SUDAN, INDIA BALLISTIC MISSILE,
SPRATLY ISLANDS, CHAD FM VISIT, TERRORIST ATTACKS,
KYRGYZSTAN, UK VISIT
1. Key Points at the April 12 MFA Press Conference by
MFA Spokesman Qin Gang were:
-- Asked repeatedly about BDA, Qin said China hopes
the situation can be properly resolved as soon as
possible, that the handling of the BDA issue will be
conducive to the social and financial stability of
Macau and that it will advance the Six-Party Talks.
-- China hopes to contribute to the economic and
social development of the DPRK and the well-being of
its people, the spokesman said when asked about the
selection of the DPRK's new premier.
-- Premier Wen and PM Abe had a "frank" exchange and
signed an important agreement on energy during Wen's
ongoing visit to Japan.
-- China welcomes the UN and AU agreement on Sudan,
noticed India's launch of a ballistic missile,
expressed condolences to victims of terrorism in
Algeria and Morocco and is concerned about protests in
Kyrgyzstan, Qin said.
-- Vietnam's territorial claim to the Spratly Islands
violates China's rights and interests, the spokesman
said.
-- Chad's Foreign Minister and the UK Deputy PM will
visit Beijing on April 18-20 and April 19-25,
respectively.
China Hopes BDA Issue Can Be Solved ASAP
----------------------------------------
2. During the regularly scheduled biweekly MFA press
briefing on April 12, MFA spokesman Qin Gang responded
to three questions regarding the Banco Delta Asia
(BDA) issue. The first asked for a response to the
Macanese government announcement that the DPRK funds
had been freed. Qin responded by saying that China
had taken note that the Macau SAR government had
issued a statement and that the United States Treasury
Department had also issued a statement. China is
communicating with all of the parties involved and
hopes that the situation regarding the money in BDA
can be properly solved as soon as possible and that
the handling of the issue will be conducive to the
social and financial stability of Macau as well as
conducive to pushing forward the Six-Party Talks.
3. A reporter from the Kyodo News Agency followed up
with a request to confirm the statement that China
does not consider the BDA issued resolved. Qin
reiterated the Chinese principals: that the solution
be conducive to the social and financial stability of
Macau as well as conducive to pushing forward the Six-
Party Talks. He said the parties involved have their
own concerns and interests. China and the Macau SAR
government also have their own legitimate concerns and
interests and that all legitimate and reasonable
concerns and interests should be seriously considered
so that a proper solution can be found as soon as
possible.
4. A third reporter requested confirmation regarding
China's position on the BDA issue, prompting Qin to
announce that this would be the last time he addressed
the issue. He said that Macau is a special
administrative region of China and on financial
administration matters it has a high degree of
autonomy. He said that decisions should be made by
the financial authorities of Macau. He urged those
asking questions to get a thorough and complete
understanding of the Macau government statement in
which the government says the situation can be
resolved properly. He said that Macau has its own
concerns according to its international obligations
and responsibilities proscribed by international law
and China supports the Macau government in its efforts
to resolve the issue according to law.
DPRK Elects New Premier
-----------------------
5. A reporter asked for comment on the DPRK's recent
election of Premier Kim Yong Il, in which all members
of the Supreme People's Assembly voted as opposed to
previously unilateral decisions by Kim Jong Il and
drew connections to China's landmark Party Congress in
1978. The spokesman declined to comment, noting that
this involved the DPRK's internal affairs, but
expressed hope that China can contribute to the
economic and social development of the DPRK and the
well-being of its people.
Japan, China Sign Energy Agreement
----------------------------------
6. During Premier Wen's ongoing visit to Japan, the
two sides reached "an important consensus" on energy
development as formalized in a joint communique, said
Qin. He pointed out that Japan's superior expertise,
technology and experience can contribute much to
China's efforts to enhance energy conservation and an
environmentally friendly economy. China's National
Development and Reform Commission Chairman Ma Kai
accompanied PM Wen on the trip, Qin noted. PM Wen
held a "frank" exchange of views with PM Abe, in which
the two agreed to seek joint development in disputed
waters of the East China Sea and to resolve disputes
through consultation and dialogue.
China Welcomes Sudan Agreement
------------------------------
7. China welcomes an agreement reached by Sudan, the
African Union and UN and hopes they can implement the
plan through dialogue and cooperation so as to realize
the peace and stability of the Darfur region at an
early date, Qin said.
India Launches Ballistic Missile
--------------------------------
8. The MFA "noticed" India's launching today of an
Agni-III medium-range ballistic missile and hopes
India can make positive contributions and play a
positive role in the region.
Vietnam Claim to Spratlys Infringes China's Rights
--------------------------------------------- -----
9. Vietnam's claim that the Spratly Islands fall
under Vietnam's territory violates China's rights and
interests in its own sovereign territory, said the
spokesman. He added that the leaders of both
countries had previously reached consensus on this
issue and reiterated that the Spratly Islands and
adjacent waters have been indisputably part of China
since ancient times.
North Africa Terrorist Attacks, Kyrgyzstan Unrest
--------------------------------------------- ---
10. Qin expressed China's solemn condolences to the
families of the victims of the terrorist bombings in
Algeria and Morocco. He also expressed China's deep
concern over intensified protests in Kyrgyzstan. Qin
hopes for the stability of its friendly neighbor and
fellow member of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, adding that Kyrgyzstan's stability is in
the interests of the entire region.
Visits: Chad FM, UK Deputy PM to Beijing
----------------------------------------
11. At the invitation of FM Li, FM Allam-mi of Chad
will visit Beijing April 18-20 to celebrate the re-
opening of Chad's Embassy to China and to exchange
views on issues of regional and international
interest. China-Chad relations have been recovering
and developing steadily since the restoration of
diplomatic ties in August 2006. UK Deputy Prime
Minister and Head of the UK's China Task Force John
Prescott will visit China April 19-25 at the
invitation of State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.
RANDT