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Cablegate: July 3 Mfa Press Briefing: Olympics Politicization,

Published: Thu 3 Jul 2008 09:14 AM
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TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY CH MX
SUBJECT: JULY 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: Olympics Politicization,
Mongolian Unrest, G-8.
1. Key points at the July 3 MFA Press Briefing:
-- All attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs by
politicizing the Olympics are doomed to failure. The spokesperson
refused to comment further on the specific case of French President
Nicolas Sarkozy's attendance at the Opening Ceremonies.
-- As a friendly neighboring country, China hopes for stability in
Mongolia.
-- All attending nations agree on the agenda of the G-8 summit. The
agenda is not political in nature.
-- The spokesperson had no information on the meeting between the
Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government, was not aware of the specific
case of Jude Shao, and had no information on the Six-Party Talks.
-- VISITS: Mexican President Felipe de Jesus Calderon will visit
Beijing and Shanghai July 7-12, and will meet President Hu Jintao,
Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
Olympics Should Not Be Politicized
----------------------------------
2. The Olympic Games should not be politicized, and any attempt to
interfere in China's internal affairs by politicizing the Olympics
is doomed to failure, MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao said at the regular
bi-weekly MFA press conference July 3. Heads of state and other
dignitaries are invited by the relevant National Olympic Committee,
he said. Asked a follow up as to why the Chinese Government has
invited heads of state independent of the National Olympic
Committee, the spokesperson responded that he had already said
enough on procedural matters. Asked for comment on Sarkozy's plan to
announce whether he will attend the Olympics next week, the
spokesperson said the he had answered the question Tuesday and had
no further comment, nor could he comment on a potential meeting
between Sarkozy and Chinese President Hu Jintao on the margins of
the upcoming G-8 summit. The spokesperson likewise had no
information on whether Kim Jong-il will attend the Olympics.
Mongolian Unrest: China Hopes for Stability
-------------------------------------------
3. China has taken note of the recent unrest in Mongolia, Liu said.
As a friendly neighboring country, China hopes to see a stable
Mongolia. The spokesman had not heard of tightened border security
following the unrest.
China Is a Rule of Law Country
------------------------------
4. The spokesman had not heard of a specific case of "an American
convicted 10 years ago for tax evasion in Shanghai" (Note: the
journalist was referring to the case of Jude Shao), and could not
comment on his recent parole. He noted, however, that China is a
country that abides by the rule of law and that all such cases are
handled within the bounds of Chinese law.
G-8 Agenda: Not Political
-------------------------
5. The G-8 is an international conference of 16 nations, Liu said.
The agenda is agreed on by all and is not political in nature.
Dalai Lama Meeting: No Information
----------------------------------
6. Asked for the results of the meeting between the Chinese
Government and the Dalai Lama, the Liu responded that he too is
waiting for news.
Six-Party Talks: No Date Set
----------------------------
7. No date has yet been set for a Six-Party Talks heads of
delegation meeting. Liu expressed hope that the relevant parties
can agree in the near future.
Visit: Mexican President Calderon, July 7-12
--------------------------------------------
8. VISITS: Mexican President Felipe de Jesus Calderon will visit
Beijing and Shanghai July 7-12, and will meet President Hu Jintao,
Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. This will be
Calderon's first visit to China. In 2003, China and Mexico
established a strategic partnership. Cooperation between the two is
mutually beneficial, as both are developing nations.
RANDT
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