VZCZCXRO7618
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #0217/01 0221038
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221038Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4533
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1654
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3265
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4234
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000217
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CH TW GM IR UK
SUBJECT: JANUARY 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SENIOR
DIALOGUE, ISRAELPALESTINE PEACE PROCESS, IRAN, DPRK
REFUGEES, MYANMAR
1. Key points at the January 22 MFA Press Briefing:
-- At the Senior Dialogue last week, Vice Foreign
Minister Dai and Deputy Secretary Negroponte exchanged
ideas on the international situation and how to ensure
the long-term stable development of bilateral
relations and cooperation on regional and
international issues.
-- China always supports the Middle East peace process
and hopes Palestine and Israel will take this
opportunity to have serious negotiations over the
status of Palestine.
-- China hopes for a "comprehensive and proper"
solution to the Iran nuclear issue achieved through
strictly diplomatic means.
-- China considers DPRK citizens that have crossed
into China to be motivated by financial gain and are
thus illegal migrants.
-- Germany highly values its relations with China and
supports the one China policy and does not support
Tibetan or Taiwanese independence.
-- The PRC encourages the international community to
be objective in their dealings with Myanmar and feels
sanctions would not be helpful.
-- Promoting "comprehensive cooperation" with Pakistan
continues to be the PRC's established policy and China
is working to further deepen that strategic
partnership.
Senior Dialogue
---------------
2. On January 17-18, Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo
and Deputy Secretary Negroponte exchanged ideas on the
international situation and how to ensure the long-
term stable development of bilateral relations and
cooperation on regional and international issues.
This is the fifth Senior Dialogue and has become an
important platform for strategic communications
between China and the United States, Foreign Ministry
Spokesperson Jiang Yu said. The two leaders agreed
that in 2008, they will implement the "major
consensuses" from their discussions. Whether the
title "Strategic Dialogue" or "Senior Dialogue" is
used is not relevant, all that is important is the
continued commitment to coordinate international
affairs and properly handle sensitive issues.
Israel and Palestine
--------------------
3. In response to a press query if China was
considering taking a more active role in the Israel-
Palestine peace process, Jiang said China hopes the
"relevant nations" will take measures to improve the
humanitarian situation in Gaza. China always supports
the Middle East peace process and hopes Palestine and
Israel will take this opportunity to have serious
negotiations over the status of Palestine. The PRC
hopes Palestine and Israel will adhere to the Roadmap
and UN resolution of land-for-peace and achieve
peaceful coexistence.
Iran Nuclear Issue
------------------
4. The P5 + 1 Foreign Ministers will meet today in
Germany to formulate a strategy to solve the Iran
nuclear issue. China hopes for a "comprehensive and
proper" solution achieved through strictly diplomatic
means. When asked if the PRC has plans to propose a
P5 + 2 mechanism which brings Iran directly into the
negotiations, Jiang said she had no information
regarding such a proposal. When pressed for details
on the PRC's position going into today's P5 + 1
negotiations, the spokesperson said Foreign Minister
Yang will expound on China's principles and position
and that journalists should pay attention to his
remarks. When asked if the PRC will support an
additional sanction on Iran over the nuclear issue,
Jiang replied, "I have already told you China's
position on this matter. "
BEIJING 00000217 002 OF 002
5. Saeed Jalili, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme
National Security Council, visited China last week and
met with several Chinese leaders. The spokesperson
did not elaborate on the details of these meetings,
but merely reiterated the PRC commitment to a
diplomatic settlement of the issue and called for an
early resumption of talks with Iran.
DPRK Refugees in China
----------------------
6. The PRC position regarding DPRK migrants remains
consistent and clear: China considers DPRK citizens
that have crossed into China to be motivated by
financial gain and are thus illegal migrants. China
will deal with them in accordance with international
and domestic law as well as humanitarian principles.
Sino-German Relations
---------------------
7. In response to a question about China's
relationship with Germany, Jiang said that the two
countries have made many efforts in the past four
months to overcome difficulties in the relationship.
Jiang noted that Germany highly values its relations
with China and supports the one China policy and does
not support Tibetan or Taiwanese independence. Jiang
expressed hope that Germany would continue to work
with China on the principle of mutual respect,
equality and noninterference.
Myanmar
-------
8. When asked about Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister U
Maung Myint's meeting with Chinese State Councilor
Tang Jiaxun on January 21, Jiang Yu confirmed that the
special envoy had delivered a briefing on the
situation in that country to Tang. Jiang also stated
that China and Myanmar will continue their cooperation
based on equality and mutual benefit. China supports
the continued stability, democratization and
development of Myanmar. Jiang encouraged the
international community to be objective in their
dealings with Myanmar and said that sanctions are not
helpful. China also supports the UN Secretary General
and his envoy and hopes that an early date is set for
the latter's visit to the country.
Pakistan or India?
------------------
9. When asked if Prime Minister Singh's recent visit
to China indicated a change in PRC policy towards
Pakistan, Jiang responded that China and India are two
significant developing countries and their good
relationship as neighbors is important to both. It is
in everyone's interest for China and India to enhance
their cooperation. Pakistan is China's strategic
partner. To promote "comprehensive cooperation" with
Pakistan continues to be the PRC's established policy
and China is working to further deepen that strategic
partnership. As a neighbor of both countries, China
supports improved relations between Pakistan and India.
RANDT