INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: June 19 Mfa Press Briefing: Six-Party Talks, Tip

Published: Tue 19 Jun 2007 10:44 AM
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FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9142
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0113
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0114
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0712
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0146
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 2050
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1444
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0096
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1753
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 004132
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TAGS: PREL PHUM EFIN ETTC KN JA IZ SU SP PM VT CH
SUBJECT: JUNE 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, TIP
REPORT, HIGH-TECH EXPORT CONTROLS, HUMAN RIGHTS, SUDAN,
IRAQI PRESIDENT VISIT, HONG KONG ANNIVERSARY, SUPPORT FOR
ABBAS, VATICAN RELATIONS, JAPAN TERRITORY DISPUTE, VISITS
BEIJING 00004132 001.2 OF 003
1. Key points at the June 19 MFA Press Conference were:
-- The spokesman said the DPRK's invitation to the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) affirms the DPRK's
political will to implement the initial actions of the
February 13 Joint Document.
-- The Chinese Government places importance on protecting
human rights and countering smuggling and will consider
constructive criticism from human rights groups.
-- Both sides should make joint efforts to promote bilateral
trade, said Qin when asked about United States' plans to
tighten controls on high-tech exports to China.
-- Exchange between the Mainland and Hong Kong SAR continues
to improve as does confidence in the Basic Law and "one
country, two systems" arrangement
-- Visits: King Juan Carlos of Spain will pay a state visit
June 24-29 and UNGA President Haya is currently visiting
China until June 24.
Six-Party Talks
---------------
2. At the June 19 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin
Gang asserted that the DPRK's invitation to the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) affirms the DPRK's political will
to implement the initial actions of the February 13 Joint
Document. Qin thanked all parties for their constructive and
positive efforts and expressed the MFA's hope that the
initial actions can be implemented in a comprehensive and
balanced way. Qin confirmed that A/S Hill met with VFM Wu
Dawei yesterday and that both sides agreed to take positive
steps toward the implementation of the initial actions. The
starting date for the next round of Six-Party Talks is still
under consultation, added the spokesman.
TIP Report Reaction, Brickyard Slaves
---------------------------------------
3. The Chinese Government places importance on protecting
human rights and countering smuggling, said Qin commenting on
the recently released State Department Trafficking in Persons
Report. China continues to participate in international law
enforcement cooperation and handles the trafficking issue in
accordance with international and domestic law and with a
humanitarian spirit, he added. China calls on the
international community to take joint efforts on this issue
and hopes the United States can develop a clearer picture of
the situation in China.
4. China will consider constructive criticism from human
rights groups, said Qin in response to a question on the
recent scandal on forced labor in Chinese brickyards. The
Chinese Government stands firm in cracking down on illegal
labor practices and parties that violate child labor laws
will be punished.
High-Tech Export Controls, IMF Currency Policy
--------------------------------------------- -
5. Both sides need to make joint efforts if the United States
wants to promote bilateral trade with China, said Qin when
asked about U.S. plans to tighten controls on high-tech
exports to China. Qin remarked that one way to improve
bilateral trade would be to relax trade controls, not tighten
them. The MFA hopes such controls do not become an obstacle
to bilateral trade. Asked about new moves by the IMF that
support the Bush administration's efforts toward the
revaluation of China's currency, the spokesman stated that
the IMF is an international organization and thus should make
policy on exchange rates in an objective and just manner.
New Rules in the UN Human Rights Council
----------------------------------------
6. Asked about China's proposed changes to new rules in the
UN Human Rights Council for launching investigations against
countries suspected of rights abuses, Qin said that the
BEIJING 00004132 002.2 OF 003
Council had reached consensus with broad support of the
Council members and would adopt new rules at 10:00 Geneva
time this morning. The spokesman noted China's constructive
efforts to protect justice and seriousness of the Council and
to prevent abuse and confrontations in the Council over
political issues.
Africa Envoy Liu's Comments on Sudan
------------------------------------
7. Qin expressed hope that Special Envoy Liu Guijin's recent
comments can be comprehensively and objectively understood,
when asked by a reporter if Liu's comments that China used
"direct language" to convince Sudan to accept the Annan Plan
marked a change in China's non-interference policy. China
has taken positive and constructive efforts aimed at an early
solution to the Darfur issue including high-level meetings,
special representatives and cooperation with the UN and AU,
Qin added. China hopes relevant parties can come to a proper
solution through fair consultation, a goal in common with
that of the international community.
Iraq President Visit, China's Hopes for Iraq
--------------------------------------------
8. China's Iraq policy respects Iraqi sovereignty and has the
goal of providing security and prosperity for the Iraqi
people, Qin said responding to an Al Jazeera reporter's
criticisms that China waited 50 years to invite the President
of a now occupied Iraq to visit. China hopes relevant
parties support reconstruction efforts to allow Iraqis to
live in peace. Qin said the two sides would sign agreements
in health and education during the visit.
Ten-Year Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return
------------------------------------------
9. The spokesman stated that exchange between the Mainland
and Hong Kong SAR continues to improve as does confidence in
Hong Kong's Basic Law and the "one country, two systems"
arrangement. He stressed that the people of Hong Kong and
the Mainland are of one history and one blood and that Hong
Kong's future is brighter and brighter.
China Supports Abbas and the Palestinian People
--------------------------------------------- --
10. China supports the political cause of the Palestinian
government so long as it is in the legitimate interests of
the Palestinian people, said Qin when asked by an Al Jazeera
reporter why China supported the Abbas government even though
it did not have the approval of the Palestine Authority.
China is deeply concerned about the violence in the region
and hopes disputes can be resolved through dialogue so that
the livelihood of Palestinians can improve, commented Qin.
Hopes For Improved China-Vatican Relations
--------------------------------------------- --
11. China hopes for improved relations with the Vatican and
is open to dialogue with Vatican officials, said the
spokesman hen asked about reports that the Pope would clear a
draft of a letter to Chinese Catholics with the Chinese
Government. Pressed on whether China could accept the
Vietnam model of joint input in naming bishops, Qin stressed
that any agreement reached with the Vatican must meet China's
two "well-known preconditions" of severing ties with Taiwan
and not interfering in Chinese internal affairs.
Japan "Islands" Actually a "Reef"
---------------------------------
12. Qin emphasized that Okinotori Islands, also known as the
Douglas Reef, constitute a reef, not islands, and thus in
accordance with the UN Convention of the Law of the Seas do
not fall into Japan's 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic
zone.
Panama Ties Could Lead to New Relations
---------------------------------------
BEIJING 00004132 003.2 OF 003
13. Through increasing mutual ties, China believes there is a
brighter chapter for the development of bilateral relations
with Panama, said Qin when asked if recent communications
between the two countries could lead to the formal
re-establishment of bilateral ties. The Taiwan Question is
the only obstacle to the realization of formal diplomatic
relations between China and the few Central American nations
who do not recognize the People's Republic of China, Qin
stated.
Visits: King of Spain, UNGA President Haya
------------------------------------------
14. King Juan Carlos of Spain will pay a state visit June
24-29, meeting with President Hu Jintao, PM Wen Jiabao and
NPC Chairman Wu Bangguo and will visit Shanghai and Chengdu
as well as Beijing. The King's visit will pay special
attention to development opportunities in China's western
provinces, said the spokesman.
15. UNGA President Haya, currently visiting China until June
24, will meet with FM Yang and PM Wen and attend the opening
ceremony of the International Association of Economic and
Social Councils and Similar Institutions (IAESCSI), Qin said
when asked about the purpose of the visit.
PICCUTA
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