VZCZCXRO2379
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3948/01 1631033
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121033Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8869
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1587
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 9496
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 2048
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0673
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1746
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003948
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM ETRD KOLY KPAL GE KS KN SU IR AS
CH
SUBJECT: JUNE 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: AMERICAN TARIFFS,
SENIOR DIALOGUE, BDA AND A/S HILL, AFRICA AND DARFUR,
OLYMPIC CHILD LABOR, HUMAN RIGHTS, DALAI LAMA TO AUSTRALIA,
PALESTINE FM VISIT
1. Key points at the June 12 MFA Press Conference were:
-- China opposes politicization of economic issues and will
respond if Congress drafts legislation raising tariffs on
Chinese goods.
-- EVFM Dai will meet Deputy Secretary Negroponte for the 4th
Strategic Dialogue June 20-21 in Washington.
-- The spokesman deflected questions on a possible visit by
A/S Hill in the near future.
-- China values African development and its Special Envoy may
meet American Special Envoy Natsios to discuss Darfur.
-- Criticism of child labor laws and the Olympics is being
investigated, but MFA believes a report on China's "state
secrets" law is unfounded.
SIPDIS
-- The Spokesman criticized Australia for allowing a visit by
the Dalai Lama, said he would research questions about
China-Iran cooperation on a strategic oil reserve and
dismissed speculation about the coming 17th Party Congress.
-- The Palestinian Authority FM and UNGA President will visit
in the next week.
Economic Issues Should Not Be Politicized
-----------------------------------------
2. At the June 12 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin
Gang argued that economic issues must not be politicized,
while emphasizing the win-win relationship of U.S.-China
trade in response to a question on possible American
legislation that would raise tariffs on Chinese goods. If
such legislation is announced, "relevant authorities in China
will have their responses," Qin said. He touted the
consensus reached and successes achieved at the recent SED in
Washington.
4th Strategic Dialogue an "Important Platform"
--------------------------------------------- -
3. EVFM Dai will meet Deputy Secretary Negroponte for the 4th
Strategic Dialogue June 20-21 in Washington, Qin announced.
During the Dialogue, which Qin called an important platform
for communication between the two sides, delegations will
exchange views on the bilateral relationship and other
regional and international issues.
Six-Party Talks; Possible A/S Hill Visit
----------------------------------------
4. Asked if A/S Hill had plans to return to Beijing in the
near future and for any news on efforts to solve the BDA
issue and restart the Six-Party Talks, Qin reiterated China's
hope that the relevant parties can solve the relevant issues
at and early date so as to implement the initial actions and
push forward with the Talks. On efforts to solve the BDA
issues, the spokesman said he had no specifics and that
further consultation was required.
Africa Development at the G-8, Darfur
-------------------------------------
5. Asked about a G-8 session on African development, Qin
emphasized China's efforts in poverty relief and development
in Africa, but did not answer whether China had attended. He
noted President Hu's elaboration of China's ideas on African
development and narrowing the north-south wealth gap at the
summit. On the topic of Darfur, Qin reiterated China's call
for the issue to be solved through dialogue and consultation
and praised the joint peace-keeping efforts carried out so
far. Qin noted Special Envoy Liu Guijin's efforts to resolve
the Darfur issue when asked if Liu would meet American
Special Envoy Natsios soon.
Criticism of Child Labor, State Secrets Laws
--------------------------------------------
6. China protects the rights of workers, has ratified four of
the eight International Labor Organization's conventions and
BEIJING 00003948 002 OF 002
is studying the other four, Qin said responding to questions
about an NGO report that China uses child labor to produce
2008 Olympics-related products. China requires manufacturers
of Olympics products to strictly follow all labor and IPR
regulations, he added. The Beijing Organizing Committee for
the Olympic Games is investigating these reports.
7. The Chinese Government protects the freedom of speech,
governs in accordance with law and puts the people first
while working to increase transparency and access to
information, said Qin responding to a Human Rights in China
report that state secrets laws are restrictive. No country
has complete transparency and the purpose of these critical
reports is difficult to understand, he added.
Dalai Lama Australia Visit
--------------------------
8. The Dalai Lama is a "splittist" in exile, not a simple
religious leader and China is against any country providing a
platform for his activities, stated Qin commenting on the
Dalai Lama's planned visit to Australia. China has made
representations to Australia expressing its concerns and
dissatisfaction and hopes Australia will recognize the nature
of the issue for the development of bilateral relations.
Hope for EU to Grant China Market Economy Status
--------------------------------------------- ---
9. Qin expressed hope that the EU can recognize China's
market economy status, noting China's accession into the WTO
and the fact that 56 countries to date have granted China
such status. Asked about an EU-China Joint Trade Ministerial
Meeting and China's hopes for EU-China cooperation, the
spokesman emphasized the current "good momentum" in EU-China
relations but stressed the desire for raising cooperation to
a high level in a broader range of issues. He referred a
question on dialogue between the EU and Chinese Trade
Ministers to the Ministry of Commerce.
Iran-China Strategic Oil Reserve?
---------------------------------
10. The MFA is currently checking on reports that Iran and
China are cooperating to establish a strategic oil reserve
and cannot confirm such reports.
VP Zeng to Retire at 17th Party Congress?
-----------------------------------------
11. The spokesman asked the media not to make groundless
guesses regarding matters of the 17th Party Congress in
response to a question on whether VP Zeng would retire at the
upcoming Congress.
Visits: Palestine FM, UNGA President
------------------------------------
12. At the invitation of FM Yang the Palestinian Authority FM
will visit China June 16 to discuss issues of mutual
interest. China hopes the visit will further develop
friendly bilateral ties. China welcomes the international
community's efforts and will continue to promote the Middle
East peace process and a proper solution to the Palestine
issue based on UN resolutions and the peaceful existence of
two states, he said.
13. UN General Assembly President Haya will visit June 19-24
and will attend the 10th meeting of the International
Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar
Institutions (IAESCSI).
RANDT