VZCZCXRO5101
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3911/01 2881057
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141057Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0421
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6757
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9137
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0364
RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 0107
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003911
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS PHUM PINR CH KN KS EC CS PK HK MC
SUBJECT: October 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: President Zadari's Visit,
Heixiazi, North Korean Verification, Regulations for Foreign
Journalists, Chinese Hackers, Chinese Tear Gas in Thailand
1. Key points at the October 14 afternoon MFA press briefing were:
-- China welcomes Pakistani President Zadari and looks forward to
"in-depth discussions" and the signing of several "deals."
-- China regains control of half of Heixiazi Island from Russia.
-- China will "communicate and coordinate" with the parties to the
Six-Party Talks process on verification of North Korea's nuclear
disarmament.
-- China expects criminal acts in Tibet to be "brought to justice"
by the "competent authorities" and "according to law."
-- China's policy of "openness and reform" with regard to
regulations for foreign journalists will continue, although it is
not clear whether or not regulations implemented during the Olympics
will expire on October 17.
-- China "cannot accept" the accusation that Chinese hackers were
involved in stealing state secrets from the Republic of Korea.
-- China cannot confirm reports that unusually powerful tear gas
manufactured in China was used by Thai police against protesters in
Thailand.
Visit of Pakistani President Zadari
-----------------------------------
2. At the October 14 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Qin
Gang said that Pakistani President Zadari arrived in China today for
an official visit and that this is another "important event" for the
two countries. He added that China and Pakistan will conduct
"in-depth discussions" in "major areas" of cooperation and plan to
sign several "deals." When asked about nuclear cooperation, the
spokesperson said that there is "some cooperation" on nuclear issues
and this cooperation is in line with the principles of "equality and
mutual benefit," respects all relevant international agreements, and
meets the requirements for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
supervision.
Return of Heixiazi Island
-------------------------
3. Qin confirmed that China regained control of half of Heixiazi
Island from Russia today in an official ceremony attended by
Ambassador Zhao Xidi. Qin noted that the smooth transition of
control was an example of how negotiation was "an effective approach
to settling complicated issues." When asked to compare the return
of Heixiazi to the return of Hong Kong and Macau to China, Qin said
that "from the perspective of politics and law" the various
situations were different and therefore could not be compared.
North Korea - Verification and Economic Assistance
--------------------------------------------- -----
4. When asked what role China would play in the verification of
North Korea's nuclear disarmament, Qin responded that as far as the
Six-Party Talks process was concerned, China will continue to assert
"constructive efforts" and is "ready to work with other parties to
"maintain cooperation" and continue to "play a constructive role."
As for the verification issue, Qin added that China will
"communicate and coordinate" with other parties.
5. Responding to a question about a recent report indicating China
would increase economic cooperation with North Korea, Qin said that
he was not aware of the report, but that China and the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) enjoy "normal trade relations" and
that China will "provide assistance" to the DPRK within its
"capability."
Dalai Lama involved in Tibetan attacks?
---------------------------------------
6. When pressed about whether or not China suspected the Dalai Lama
to be behind an attack for which eight monks in Tibet were recently
convicted, Qin stated that China administers the country "according
to law" and that criminal acts must be "brought to justice" by the
"competent authorities" who will then "handle the case according to
law."
New Regulations for Foreign Journalists
---------------------------------------
BEIJING 00003911 002 OF 002
7. When commenting on new regulations for foreign journalists, Qin
pointed out that questions on this issue had been "repeatedly
answered" and that China will "continue its policy of openness and
reform." He added that China will also continue to "facilitate" the
work of foreign journalists in China and that this policy will "stay
unchanged." When pressed about whether or not the specific
regulations for foreign journalists implemented during the Olympics
would expire on October 17, Qin told the reporter to "look at your
watch and see today's date."
Hackers from China?
-------------------
8. Responding to a reporter's claim that the Prime Minister of the
Republic of Korea (ROK) had accused North Korean and Chinese hackers
of stealing state secrets, and that close to 130,000 pieces of
information had been stolen over the past four years, Qin emphasized
that China opposes all forms of cyber crime and that China was also
a "victim" of hackers. He stressed that China therefore "cannot
accept this accusation" and that if the ROK were to make such a
claim it would have to provide "evidence."
Tear gas in Thailand
-------------------
9. Qin was unable to confirm reports that Thai police had used
unusually powerful tear gas manufactured in China to quell recent
riots in Thailand, but pointed out that he was not aware of any
international convention prohibiting countries from using tear gas
in such a situation.
Ecuadorian Defense Minister
---------------------------
10. When asked about the visit of the Ecuadorian Defense Minister to
China, Qin said that China considered Ecuador a "friendly country"
and that it "attached importance to communication and exchange" with
Ecuador. He indicated that specific questions about the visit
should be directed to the Ministry of Defense.
Hu to Visit Costa Rica
----------------------
11. Qin announced that at the invitation of President Arias of Costa
Rica, President Hu Jintao will visit Costa Rica in conjunction with
his trip to Peru to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) meeting in mid-November.
PICCUTA