VZCZCXRO2455
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4125 3090929
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040929Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0727
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 0525
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0340
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0092
RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 0109
RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 0168
UNCLAS BEIJING 004125
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EFIN FR GR CS CU PE
SUBJECT: 11/4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, DALAI
LAMA TALKS, CHINESE OFFICIAL IN FRANCE, CHINA-EGYPT RELATIONS
1. Key points at the November 4 afternoon MFA press briefing were:
-- Though the spokesperson is "following the U.S. election closely"
the choosing of the next President of the United States is the job
of the American people.
-- The Dalai Lama should "take concrete actions to give up
separatism and do something good for the Tibetan people in his
lifetime."
-- The spokesperson did not have specifics on the case of a Chinese
official who has overstayed his visa in France.
-- China and Egypt have established a "strategic partnership" and
China hopes the two sides will continue high level exchanges.
U.S. Election
------------
2. Asked about the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election at the
November 4 regularly scheduled MFA press conference, the
spokesperson said that he has been "following the election closely."
Qin said that the next U.S. President "is a matter for the U.S.
people to decide." Whoever is elected, China hopes U.S.-China
relations will "continue to proceed" as this would be "good for
world peace and the people of both countries."
Dalai Lama Talks
----------------
3. Qin referred reporters to "relevant authorities" when asked
about upcoming talks between representatives of the Dalai Lama and
the Chinese Central Government. Qin did say, however, that China's
position on the Dalai Lama is "clear and consistent." The Dalai Lama
should "take concrete actions to give up separatism and do something
good for the Tibetan people in his lifetime," said Qin.
France Defection Case
---------------------
4. The spokesman was "not aware of the specifics" of the case of
Yang Xianghong a Chinese official who overstayed his visa to France.
However, Qin said that China and the "relevant country" have had
"cooperation and communication in judicial matters." Should any
problems arise, "China hopes the judicial cooperation will play its
role."
China Egypt Relations
---------------------
5. China "attaches great importance to relations with Egypt" said
Qin when asked to comment on the upcoming visit of the Egyptian
Foreign Minister. China and Egypt have "established a strategic
partnership" and China hopes the two countries can continue
exchanges of high level officials.
Visits
-----
6. President Hu Jintao will attend the G20 summit in Washington DC
on November 15. Hu will also visit Peru to attend the 16th APEC
Economic Leaders Meeting from November 22-23. Hu will visit Cuba,
Costa Rica, Peru and Greece from November 16-26.
RANDT