VZCZCXRO8854
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4101 3040838
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300838Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0695
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0238
UNCLAS BEIJING 004101
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PARM MNUC ECON EFIN KN KS SU
SUBJECT: 10/30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SUDAN HOSTAGE CRISIS, FINANCIAL
SUMMIT, RMB, TIBET TALKS, SIX-PARTY TALKS
1. Key points at the October 30 afternoon MFA press briefing were:
-- In the case of kidnapped Chinese workers in Sudan, four of whom
were killed October 27, a Chinese delegation will urge the Sudanese
Government to "spare no effort to rescue the missing workers, bring
the criminals to justice and take measures to protect Chinese
citizens in Sudan."
-- China is "having discussions with the United States on specifics"
of the upcoming summit on the global financial crisis.
-- China is committed to working with other countries and
international institutions to "safeguard the stability of global
markets and promote economic growth."
-- China "believes whichever candidate wins the U.S. presidential
election will place great importance on U.S.-China relations" and
believes that the RMB exchange rate is not the cause of the U.S.
trade deficit.
-- China is in consultation with the other parties to the Six-Party
Talks on a date for the next heads of delegation meeting.
Sudan Hostage Crisis
--------------------
2. A delegation including representatives from the MFA, Ministry of
Commerce and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) departed
October 30 for Sudan to deal with the aftermath of the hostage
crisis, said MFA spokesperson Jiang Yu at the October 30 regularly
scheduled press briefing. The delegation will urge the Sudanese
Government to "spare no effort to rescue the missing workers, bring
the criminals to justice and take measures to protect Chinese
citizens in Sudan." In response to a question about discrepancies
between Sudanese and Chinese reports on the number of victims, Jiang
said that four workers were killed "during a government rescue
effort," three were rescued and are receiving medical treatment and
two are still missing.
Financial Crisis and Summit
---------------------------
3. Jiang said China has received the U.S. invitation to attend a
summit meeting on the financial crisis. China "is considering
taking part and is having discussions with the United States on
specifics of the summit." Once Chinese participation is confirmed,
the MFA will release information. Jiang said the international
community needs to address the global financial crisis together.
She noted that China is committed to working with other countries
and international institutions such as the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) to "safeguard the stability of global markets and promote
economic growth."
Chinese RMB Appreciation
------------------------
4. Responding to a question on U.S. presidential candidates'
comments on the need for revaluation of China's currency, Jiang said
the RMB exchange rate is not the cause of the U.S. trade deficit.
She noted "whichever candidate wins the election will place great
importance on U.S.-China relations" and expressed hope that the
United States will "reduce barriers to trade and investment."
Six-Party Talks
---------------
5. In response to a question on the timing of the next round of
Six-Party Talks, Jiang said China is consulting with the other
parties on a date for the next heads of delegation meeting. China
will work together with other parties "to implement the remaining
tasks of the second phase of the Six-Party Talks," Jiang added.
Tibet Talks
-----------
6. In response to a question about the next round of talks on Tibet
between the Chinese Government and representatives of the Dalai
Lama, Jiang would only say that "relevant Chinese Government
authorities will release information in due course."
PICCUTA