VZCZCXRO7237
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #7127/01 3191002
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 151002Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3472
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0368
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3228
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0476
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4199
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1654
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 007127
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY CH IR AF JA FR UK MX
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, U.S.-CHINA
ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW, AFGHANISTAN
BEIJING 00007127 001.2 OF 002
1. Key points at the November 15 MFA Press Briefing:
-- Foreign Minister Yang in Teheran urged Iran to "show
flexibility and keep positive contact" with the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Union (EU).
-- China has seen the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review
and noted its "extensive contents." China does not undermine
the economies of other countries and in fact cooperates with
other countries in a "fair way." China and the United States
have a "fundamental common interest in sound long-term
cooperation" on trade.
-- High-level exchanges with Afghanistan will include
"non-traditional security areas."
-- MFA is not aware of the UK Olympic Minister's claims that
international news sites are blocked in China for "technical
reasons," but is willing to discuss them with her.
-- VISITS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy will visit China
from November 25-27. Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia
Espinosa will visit China from November 21-24.
FM Yang Visit to Iran
----------------------
2. Asked for a readout on Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's
visit to Iran, MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao said at the regular
press briefing on November 15 that Yang met with Iranian
President Mahmoud Admadinejad, Foreign Minister Manouchehr
Mottaki, and chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. China's
friendship with Iran has a long history. China believes Iran
has the right to use nuclear energy for civilian purposes and
appreciates that Iran has said it will not develop nuclear
weapons. China urges Iran to continue working with the IAEA.
China supports a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue
through diplomatic channels and the IAEA. Yang added that
Iran should "show flexibility and keep positive contact" with
the EU and other partners. Liu said China supports
non-proliferation and Iran has reiterated to China that it
too supports that goal. Iran and the United States should
communicate country-to-country based on the principles of
mutual respect and "equivalent principles."
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review
----------------------------------------
3. The MFA has seen the Congressional panel's recent
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review report and notes that
its contents are extensive. Liu said China does not
undermine the economies of other countries and in fact
cooperates with other countries in a "fair way." As for
trade disputes, China and the United States have a
"fundamental common interest in sound long-term cooperation."
Discussions should be conducted on an equal basis.
Regrets Over Dalai Lama Visit to Japan
--------------------------------------
4. Expressing China's regret over the Dalai Lama's visit to
Japan, Liu said China opposes any country's providing a venue
for the Dalai Lama to espouse his separatist ways. China
does not criticize the spiritual philosophy or the world view
of the Dalai Lama. However, China does not approve of the
Dalai Lama's stance against the principle of China's unity or
his support for Tibet's independence. China stresses that
the Dalai Lama has long been involved in separatist
activities.
Chinese Sailors on Cosco Busan
---------------------------------------
5. Alluding to the oil spill by San Francisco's Bay Bridge,
Liu said there is no Chinese relationship to the Cosco Busan
ship or company. The oil spill was an "unfortunate incident"
and China hopes that it will be "quickly resolved" and that
the oil spill's environmental impact will be limited. The
MFA understands that there were Chinese nationals aboard the
ship and the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco has been in
touch with the relevant United States authorities regarding
their status.
China Supports Afghanistan
--------------------------
BEIJING 00007127 002.2 OF 002
6. China supports the efforts of the Afghanistan government
to promote stability in the region. China takes an active
part in the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan President Karzai has called China "a good
neighbor." China believes there is consensus between both
sides to continue high-level exchanges between government
officials, the two countries' militaries, and ordinary
people. China hopes to deepen cooperation in trade,
agriculture, public health, and "non-traditional security
areas."
UK Olympic Minister Claims Internet Blockage
--------------------------------------------
7. Noting United Kingdom Minister for Olympics Tessa Jowell's
remarks during her recent visit to China that some
international news sites are being blocked for technical
reasons, a reporter asked why, given China's ability to send
a spacecraft to the moon, was it so difficult for the Chinese
to repair such "technical difficulties." Liu answered that
he had not heard Jowell's comments, but that Internet
regulations have been discussed previously at MFA briefings.
He added that the relevant authorities would be willing to
discuss the matter with the Minister.
East China Sea Consultative Conference
--------------------------------------
8. China reiterated its interest in promoting cooperation and
in safeguarding the stability of the East China Sea. Liu
said China hoped Japan would meet China halfway as both are
key countries in the region. China welcomes Japanese Prime
Minister Yasuo Fukuda to visit as soon as possible.
High-level visits are extremely important in the improvement
of bilateral relationships.
Wang Qingqian
-------------
9. In response to a question, Liu said competent authorities
are handling the case of Wang Qingqian, a PLA Colonel who
recently received a suspended death sentence for espionage,
per Chinese law.
Upcoming Visits
---------------
10. VISITS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy will visit China
from November 25-27. Trade between the two countries from
January through July of 2007 increased by 29 percent. The
visit will consolidate China's "comprehensive and strategic"
relationship with France.
11. Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa will visit
China from November 21-24. The spokesman noted that both
China and Mexico are large countries within the developing
world and have had a strong 35-year relationship. The visit
will deepen mutual trust in the strategic relationship and
will cover exchanges of technology, culture, energy, and
tourism.
PICCUTA