Cablegate: December 14 Mfa Press Briefing: Six-Party Talks,

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TAGS: PREL CH
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
RENMINBI HIGH VS DOLLAR, GAO ZHISHENG, TIBETAN REFUGEES,
CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION, DARFUR POLICY, CLOONEY, BUSH,
NAZARBAEV, KHATIB

1. Key Points at the December 14 MFA Press Conference
were:

-- China believes patience, compromise and mutual
trust building are required during the Six-Party
Talks.

-- Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng's trial will take
place in accordance with Chinese law.

-- China rejects criticism that its Africa policy is
neo-colonialism. In these new times, nothing can hold
back China-Africa cooperation.

-- Beijing briefs U.S. actor George Clooney on Darfur.

-- Former President Bush visits Beijing and meets with
President Hu.

-- Kazakhstan President Nazarbaev will meet with
President Hu, Chairman Wu and Premier Wen during his
upcoming visit to China. Over ten agreements will be
signed.

China Seeks Mutual Trust in Six-Party Talks
-------------------------------------------

2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang announced at the December
14 press briefing that, during the Six-Party Talks,
time, patience, compromise and the building of mutual
trust between all countries will be required. Asked
for details on the schedule and structure of the
talks, Qin said there would be both bilateral and
multilateral meetings and that the talks would likely
begin Monday morning.

No Further Information on Gao Zhisheng, Slain Tibetan
Refugees
--------------------------------------------- ---------

3. Qin stated that the case of human rights lawyer Gao
Zhisheng will be decided in accordance with Chinese
law, when asked by an Associated Press reporter about
concerns that Gao received a closed-door trial without
legal representation. Responding to the reporter's
second question as to what measures had been taken to
address the September 30 shooting of two Tibetans by
Chinese border guards, Qin said that the victims were
illegal border-crossers and that there was no more to
add.

Sensitivity to Criticism on China-Africa Cooperation
--------------------------------------------- -------

4. Qin said he "does not understand the mentality and
motives" of countries who continue to criticize
China's relationship with African nations in a several
minutes long response to a question regarding South
African President Thabo Mbeki's remarks that China
risks entering into a colonial relationship with
Africa if it continues to extract natural resources
without developing Africa's manufacturing capacity.
Qin spoke about common experiences and suffering under
colonialism between the people of China and Africa as
well as of prior support for China-Africa cooperation
from President Mbeki himself. Times have changed and
no force can hold back the trend of cooperation
between China and Africa, Qin said, adding that any
words that undermine this relationship are also not
welcome to the African people.

Clooney in Beijing: Briefed on PRC Darfur Policy
--------------------------------------------- ---

5. Responding to reports, Qin acknowledged that U.S.
actor George Clooney visited Beijing December 10-12 to
discuss Darfur. He met high-level officials at the
MFA who briefed on China's policy in the region.
China is concerned about the Darfur issue, Qin said,
and actively provides humanitarian assistance to the
region. China hopes through dialogue to increase
mutual trust and promote an early resolution of the
issue.

China Thanks Annan and Wishes Him Well
--------------------------------------

6. When asked to comment on the legacy of Kofi Annan,
Qin said that as the UN Secretary General for the last
10 years, Annan has promoted world peace and

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development. He is a great friend of China and China
thanks him for his dedication to public service and
wishes him well in his future endeavors.

Renminbi Hits New High Against U.S. Dollar
------------------------------------------

7. When asked to comment on the new high reached by
the Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. Dollar, Qin's
only response was to say that China's position on this
has been consistent.

Former President Bush Visiting Beijing
--------------------------------------

8. Former President Bush is visiting Beijing from
December 12-14. He met with President Hu on December
13 and has attended various social sciences,
humanitarian and cultural events.

Kazakhstan President Nazarbaev to Visit China
---------------------------------------------

9. In reply to a request for details concerning
Kazakhstan President Nazarbaev's upcoming visit to
China, Qin said President Nazarbaev will hold meetings
with President Hu, National People's Congress Standing
Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao
to discuss bilateral relations and regional and
international issues of common concern. At least ten
agreements will be signed during the visit, Qin said,
offering no additional details.

Jordanian FM Ilah Khatib to Visit China
---------------------------------------

10. At the invitation of FM Li Zhaoxing, Jordanian FM
Abdul Ilah Khatib will pay a working visit to China
December 18-19.

Randt

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