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O 102321Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6001
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002597
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC CH AS KN IR IN JP LG UP MP YI
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SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GUANTANAMO UIGHURS, INDIA
BORDER, UAE AIRCRAFT
1. Key points at the September 10 MFA press briefing:
-- China opposes any country accepting Uighur detainees after their
release from Guantanamo. The individuals should be repatriated to
China as soon as possible.
-- China and India were making joint efforts to "safeguard peace and
tranquility" along their common border.
-- The Indian detainment of the UAE aircraft originally bound for
China was a "technical issue" between the UAE and India.
-- The date for the trilateral meeting between China, South Korea,
and Japan had not been set.
-- China would continue to "facilitate" the work of foreign
journalists in Xinxiang, but journalists should respect the law and
the police.
-- China hoped relevant parties would step up diplomatic efforts to
resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.
-- China hoped parties at the World Economic Forum in Dalian would
work to address the financial crisis.
Uighurs in Guantanamo
---------------------
2. At the September 10 session of the regularly scheduled Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MFA) press briefing spokesperson Jiang Yu said
that China's position on Uighur detainees at Guantanamo is
"consistent and clear." China opposes any nation accepting the
detainees after release from U.S. custody, and holds that the
individuals should be repatriated to China "as soon as possible."
Sino-Indian Border
------------------
3. Asked about media reports of Chinese military personnel crossing
the border into India, Jiang responded that both the MFA and the
Ministry of National Defense (MND) had previously stated that China
and India were making "joint efforts" to ensure "peace and
tranquility" along their shared border in order to avoid damage to
bilateral relations. The two sides were working toward a fair,
reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution.
Aircraft Detained in India
-------------------------
4. Asked about the United Arab Emirates aircraft detained in India
on September 6 before reaching its intended destination in China,
Jiang answered that this was a "technical issue" between the UAE and
India.
Trilateral Meeting
------------------
5. Jiang said that no date had been set for the trilateral meeting
between China, South Korea, and Japan. Once confirmed, a specific
date would be announced to the public.
Journalists in Urumqi
---------------------
6. Jiang said the MFA was "not concerned" about reports of a
confrontation between police and Hong Kong journalists in Urumqi
because China continued to provide "facilitations" to the press.
China maintained a "principled position" towards foreign
journalists. However, the press corps had an obligation to respect
both the law and the police who were "just doing their work."
7. A Hong Kong journalist present at the press conference claimed
that he had recently been "beaten up" by local police in Urumqi and
asked what type of "certification" was needed to report on events in
Xinjiang. Jiang responded that she was aware of his "keen interest"
but could offer no further comment. Events in Urumqi were a
domestic matter and questions should thus be addressed to the local
authorities. The matter had been "properly settled," and local
authorities had released "plenty of information" for those who wish
to follow up, Jiang added.
Iran
----
8. When asked about Iran's proposal for renewed talks on the nuclear
issue, Jiang responded that China hoped that relevant parties would
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step up diplomatic efforts and move towards a "proper settlement."
World Economic Forum in Dalian
------------------------------
9. Approximately 80 countries would attend the upcoming World
Economic Forum in Dalian, Jiang said. High-level officials from
Latvia, Singapore, Ukraine, Mauritius, Serbia, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe
were among those who would attend. China hoped that the delegates
would work to revitalize economic growth and hold in-depth
discussions on how to address the current financial crisis. There
was a need to send a "stronger signal" in this regard, Jiang added.
African Union Commission Visit
------------------------------
10. Jiang was unsure whether China's special envoy to Sudan, Liu
Guijin, would meet with the chair of the African Union Commission,
Jean Ping during his current visit to China.
HUNTSMAN