VZCZCXRO7720
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O 220054Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6548
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0087
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0673
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 4960
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0716
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002934
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PARM CH IR IS AF IN JA
SUBJECT: OCTOBER 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PIRATES, CHINA-INDIA, REBIYA
KADEER, IRAN AND AFGHAN ELECTIONS
1. Key points at the October 22 MFA press briefing:
-- The Chinese Government remained concerned about the security of
the 25 member crew of the De Xin Hai and an "all-out rescue effort"
was ongoing.
-- China and India were both emerging countries and had common
interests that would benefit from the climate change agreement
signed on October 21.
-- China welcomed gradual implementation of the Geneva Consensus and
supported the use of dialogue and negotiation with Iran.
-- China respected the decision of the Afghanistan people and hoped
for a peaceful and successful election that would lead Afghanistan
onto the road to peace, stability and development.
-- China voted for the Goldstone Report and was committed to working
with the rest of the international community to achieve peace and
stability in the Middle East.
Pirates
-------
2. The Chinese government had already made clear its position on the
hijacked cargo ship De Xin Hai during the previous press briefing
and had nothing to add, said MFA spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu at the
October 22 MFA regularly scheduled press briefing. The Chinese
Government remained concerned about the safety of the 25 member crew
of the De Xin Hai and an "all-out rescue effort" was ongoing. Ma
refused to provide further details on the rescue efforts.
Japan: Kadeer Visit
-------------------
3. Asked whether China's protest of Rebiya Kadeer's visit to Japan
was consistent with China's policy of noninterference in other
countries' internal policies, Ma told the journalist to look into
the meaning of "non-interference" in other countries' affairs.
People should not just listen to "lop-sided" remarks and should know
what kind of person Kadeer was, Ma added. China had expressed its
dissatisfaction over the fact that Kadeer planned to spread her
anti-Chinese separatist activities in Japan. The PRC's position on
China's unity was clear and Kadeer was "doomed for failure."
Missing Uighurs
---------------
4. Asked about the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report on Uighurs
missing in Xinjiang, Ma replied that HRW had no grounds to attack
China with "rumors." The July 5 incident was a serious "criminal
event" premeditated by three oversea forces and the relevant
judicial authorities would handle the "criminals" accordingly.
China-India Sign Climate Deal
-----------------------------
5. On October 21, China and India signed an agreement to cooperate
on climate change negotiations. The agreement was signed in New
Delhi by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
Vice-Chairman Xie Zhenhua and Indian Minister of State for
Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh. The new accord would build a
climate change partnership between the two countries and create
working groups that would meet annually to exchange views. As
emerging countries, China and India had common interests that would
benefit from the agreement, which would also improve bilateral
cooperation, said Ma.
Iran
----
6. The IAEA and representatives from France, Iran, Russia and the
United States had met on October 19-21 and had held an expert level
consultation on Iran's uranium enrichment program. Ma said that
the discussions had focused on proposals to provide nuclear fuel
needed for the sustained operation of the Tehran Research Reactor.
China welcomed gradual implementation of the Geneva Consensus and
supported the use of dialogue and negotiation with Iran, said Ma.
Afghan Elections
----------------
7. China had taken note of the latest developments in the Afghan
election. The election was an internal political affair of
Afghanistan. China respected the decision of the Afghanistan people
and hoped for a peaceful and successful election that would lead
Afghanistan onto the road to peace, stability and development, said
BEIJING 00002934 002 OF 002
Ma.
Goldstone Report
----------------
8. China had voted for the Goldstone Report in the UN Human Rights
Council and was committed to the peace process between Palestine and
Israel. China was committed to working with the rest of the
international community to achieve peace and stability in the Middle
East, said Ma.
JCCT
-----
9. Asked for China's expectations and goals for the upcoming 20th
U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) to be held
in Hangzhou on October 29, Ma referred interested parties to check
the MFA's website for relevant updates.
President Obama and Hu Phone Call
---------------------------------
10. Presidents Obama and Hu spoke on the telephone on October 21 and
discussed U.S.-China bilateral relations and climate change issues.
President Hu had told President Obama that Copenhagen was an
important effort on climate change, and Hu recognized that the two
countries shared common but differentiated interests. President Hu
said as long as interested parties can work together, he was hopeful
that Copenhagen would have a positive outcome. Presidents Obama and
Hu agreed to maintain close contact on Copenhagen and climate
change, concluded Ma.
Wen and Singh ASEAN Bilateral Meeting
-------------------------------------
11. Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
would hold bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the upcoming
ASEAN meeting to discuss bilateral relations and international
issues of common interest.
Xu Caihou's U.S. Visit
----------------------
12. Concerning media reports that the Vice Chairman of the Central
Military Commission Xu Caihou was expected to visit the United
States, Ma referred inquiries to the relevant spokesperson for the
Ministry of National Defense.
HUNTSMAN