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INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0282
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 0827
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0015
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RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0720
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000356
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM ETRD MNUC CH JA IR KN
SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 9, 2010 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, IRAN,
NATO TRANSFORMATION, ESPIONAGE, DISSIDENTS
BEIJING 00000356 001.2 OF 003
1. Key points at the February 9, 2010 MFA press briefing were:
--Following a meeting with Chinese Communist Party International
Liaison Department Director Wang Jiarui, DPRK officials stated that
North Korea is ready to continue consultations with relevant parties
regarding the Six-Party Talks.
--China has taken note of Iran's announcement it will produce 20
percent enriched uranium.
--China believes that NATO should become a center of consultation
and security policy. Under this transformation, NATO should consult
with developing countries such as Brazil and China.
--Regarding the arrest of U.S. citizen Dongfan Chung for economic
espionage, China believes these charges are groundless.
--China believes that under Chinese law, there are no dissidents and
that all individuals are treated equally under the law and all that
violate the law will be brought to justice.
Six-Party Talks
---------------
2. Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department Director
Wang Jiarui held a meeting with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il in the DPRK.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu reported that North
Korea was ready to continue consultations with relevant parties
regarding the Six-Party Talks. During that meeting, Wang provided
greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao and stated that China
stood ready to strengthen its cooperation and friendship with the
DPRK.
3. Ma stated that China believed the issue was complex and sensitive
and could only be solved through diplomatic and political efforts.
Ma also stated that all parties must show flexibility to cooperate
with other involved parties. China was prepared to continue to
demonstrate this view.
4. In response to a question regarding which Chinese official would
lead the Chinese delegation to the Six-Party Talks, Ma stated that
"interested parties would know" once the Talks resumed. Ma also
confirmed that UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B.
Lynn Pascoe met with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
Tehran's Plans to Produce 20 Percent Enriched Uranium
--------------------------------------------- --------
5. Ma said he had taken note of the media reports that Iran would
begin to produce 20 percent enriched uranium for the Tehran Research
Reactor (TRR) and hoped that relevant parties would exchange views
on the draft text proposed by the IAEA and would reach common ground
at an early date.
6. Regarding sanctions proposed by the U.S. and France, Ma stated
that the P5-plus-1 had already discussed the proposal and he hoped
that relevant parties would step up and push for continued
negotiations.
7. Ma addressed this question several times from reporters
unsatisfied with his answer. However, he provided no additional
clarification.
NATO Transformation
--------------------
8. China believed that NATO should become a center of "consultation
and security policy." Under this transformation, NATO should
consult with developing countries, such as Brazil and China. Ma
added that China hoped this transformation would build "a new
strategic vision." He added that the transformation would benefit
international peace and social stability and that China and NATO
would continue engagement.
Espionage
---------
9. Referring to the announced sentence for espionage levied against
former Boeing engineer Dongfan "Greg" Chung, Ma declared that
allegations accusing China of conducting espionage in the United
States were groundless. He stated that parties fabricating such
accusations had ulterior motives.
BEIJING 00000356 002.2 OF 003
Dissidents
----------
10. In response to a question regarding the case of human rights
activist Tan Zuoren, who was sentenced to 5 years in prison for
"inciting subversion of state power", Ma stated that he did not know
about the case. However, he added that China would handle all such
cases according to the law.
11. In response to a follow on question about the treatment of
dissidents in China who go missing in police custody, Ma stated that
there were no dissidents in China and that all individuals were
treated equally under the law. He added that any individual who
violated Chinese law would be brought to justice.
(Note: The questions and answers regarding Tan Zuoren's arrest and
the treatment of dissidents were not carried in the MFA's transcript
on the Internet.)
China's Reaction to Taiwan Arms Sales
-------------------------------------
12. When asked if China's reaction to the Taiwan arms sale was an
attempt to seek greater leadership in the world, Ma stated that such
allegations were untenable. He continued by noting that Foreign
Minister Yang on February 5 in Munich had stated that China promoted
an independent policy of peace, guided by the 5 principles of
peaceful co-existence. He stated that China believed all countries
were equal, regardless of their size or power, and that no countries
should interfere in another's internal affairs.
13. Ma added that China was still a developing country that had a
long way to go before realizing modernization. He stated that China
continued to play a constructive role in the world and only wanted
to pursue peaceful development, not hegemony.
Recent Elections
----------------
14. Asked about China's reaction to recent elections in Costa Rica
and the Ukraine, Ma stated that China had noticed these elections
were peaceful and congratulated each candidate on their victory.
15. Ma added that President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao had
delivered congratulations to relevant parties in Costa Rica and
hoped to increase trade and economic relations. Ma maintained that
China hoped the two countries could strengthen economic and business
ties.
16. Ma stated that Ukraine was a friendly country and China hoped to
see economic development, social stability, and increased
relations.
Copenhagen Accord
-----------------
17. Asked about press statements claiming that China did not want to
be associated with the Copenhagen accord, Ma stated that China had
already submitted its climate change measures. Ma observed that the
NDRC had clearly explained China's policies and suggested that
interested parties could refer to this already published material.
Xinjiang Websites
-----------------
18. When asked why China's Xinjiang autonomous region continued to
have restricted Internet access, Ma stated that such a question was
not under the purview of the MFA and that interested parties should
contact relevant authorities. However, Ma assured the reporters
that China had a free and open Internet. (Note: This item was not
carried in the MFA transcript on the Internet.)
Indian Missile Tests
--------------------
19. In response to a question about India's successful February 7
test of an Agni III long range missile, Ma only stated that China
and India maintained strong bilateral relations and that such tests
would not affect the relationship.
Haiti Medical Team
------------------
20. Asked to comment on China's efforts in Haiti, Ma stated that
BEIJING 00000356 003.2 OF 003
the Chinese medical team had arrived in Haiti on 25 January 2010.
As of February 5, the team had treated 3,260 individuals,
distributed over 20,000 published materials on epidemic prevention
and had maintained exchanges with the WHO and other international
bodies.
21. Ma added that the Chinese team was the only medical team to
practice an "integrated approach to treatment and disease
prevention." He told the journalists that the U.N. had thanked
China for its support and efforts.
Other News
----------
22. When asked about any connection between the Taiwan arms sales
and China's imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of U.S.
chicken parts, Ma maintained that there was no connection between
the two. He suggested that questions related to chicken imports
should be directed to the Ministry of Commerce. And when asked
about melamine-tainted milk powder, Ma suggested that questions be
directed to relevant authorities.
HUNTSMAN