VZCZCXRO8225
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3861/01 1580930
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 070930Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8737
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1582
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 8986
RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 0097
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003861
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM GE KS NS CS RP
SUBJECT: JUNE 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PRESIDENT BUSH-KADEER
MEETING, COSTA RICA, DETAINED BISHOP, G-8, FOREIGN
ASSISTANCE, LEE TENG-HUI, VISITS
1. Key points at the June 7 MFA Press Conference were:
-- The MFA called President Bush's decision to meet with
Rebiya Kadeer a "blatant interference in China's internal
affairs."
-- China and Costa Rica have established diplomatic ties.
-- If the Korean nuclear issue is raised at G-8, the MFA
hopes the discussion will play a positive role in "the
resolution of relevant questions."
-- FM Romulo of the Philippines will pay an official visit
June 17-19 at the invitation of FM Yang.
Firm Opposition to President Bush-Kadeer Meeting
--------------------------------------------- ---
2. At the June 7 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson
Jiang Yu responded to a question about President Bush's
decision to meet with Uighur-activist Rebiya Kadeer by
expressing China's "strong dissatisfaction and firm
opposition" to what she called a "blatant interference in
China's internal affairs." Jiang emphasized China's views
that Kadeer is a "convicted criminal."
3. Asked for comment on President Bush's reported remarks
that political reform in China was not keeping up with
economic opening, the spokesperson stated that China has
achieved economic development, social stability and
development in the country's democracy and legal system in
the nearly thirty years since opening and the Chinese people
enjoy many rights and freedoms. She reasserted that the
Chinese people and government will unswervingly follow the
road of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Formal Diplomatic Ties with Costa Rica
--------------------------------------
4. Responding to four questions regarding the June 7
announcement that the PRC has established diplomatic
relations with Costa Rica, Jiang said that ties were based on
respect and mutual benefit and represented a new period in
bilateral relations. Although previously China did not have
diplomatic relations with any Central American countries, it
is ready to establish those ties. The resolution of the
Taiwan question is the main obstacle, Jiang stated, and China
hopes that those countries will make the right choice. China
is preparing to establish an Embassy in Costa Rica and
welcomes visits by the Costa Rican president and other
high-level officials, Jiang said. Asked if China was
planning any specific investments or economic assistance in
Costa Rica, Jiang reiterated that ties were based on respect
and mutual benefit and that they would benefit both countries
in political, cultural, economic as well as other fields.
Se stressed that China's diplomatic relations wit 169
countries are not a matter of money bt of recognition of the
one-China policy.
G-8 Discussion on DPRK, President Hu's G-8 Schedule
--------------------------------------------- ------
5. Asked if China would support a possible G-8 statement on
the DPRK nuclear issue, Jiang said she had not heard that the
matter would be discussed at the G-8 meeting. If the issue
is raised, she expressed hope that discussion can play a
positive role in "the resolution of relevant questions."
Responding to a reporter's question, Jiang confirmed that
President Hu would meet today with leaders from Nigeria,
Senegal, Mexico and India before joining a collective meeting
of developing nations this evening. She said Hu also plans
to meet with leaders from Russia, the United States, France,
Japan, Germany, Canada and Italy tomorrow.
Bishop from Hebei Detained
--------------------------
6. Asked to comment on a report made by the Cardinal Kung
Foundation that Catholic bishop Jia Zhiguo has been detained
in Hebei Province, Jiang stated that she was unaware of the
case but that Chinese citizens enjoy religious freedom in
accordance with the law and should not engage in illegal
activities under the guise of religion.
Foreign Assistance
------------------
BEIJING 00003861 002 OF 002
7. Asked how much foreign aid China granted each year and for
what purposes, the spokesperson replied that the matter was
not under the MFA's realm of responsibility. Jiang stated
that assistance to developing countries within the framework
of north-south cooperation seeks to build infrastructure
projects and improve people's welfare.
Still No Judgment on Lee's Visit to Yasukuni
--------------------------------------------
8. Pushed again for comment on the recent visit of Lee
Teng-hui to the Yasukuni Shrine, Jiang only expressed China's
strong dissatisfaction with the Japanese for receiving Lee's
visit to Japan.
Philippines FM Romulo to Visit
------------------------------
9. FM Romulo of the Philippines will pay an official visit
June 17-19 at the invitation of FM Yang.
PICCUTA