Cablegate: July 10 Mfa Press Briefing: Six-Party Talks, U.S.

VZCZCXRO7825
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4577/01 1910946
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 100946Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9738
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0126
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6568
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0342
RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 0064
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 4578
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1773
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004577

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KS KN BM PK NG IZ AF CH
SUBJECT: JULY 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, U.S.
CHARGES OF SPYING, WEAPONS SALES, BURMA, ZHENG XIAOYU
EXECUTION, PAKISTAN MOSQUE SIEGE, KIDNAPPING IN NIGER,
CLIMATE CHANGE, MORE

1. Key points at the July 10 MFA Press Conference were:

-- China hopes for a Heads of Delegation meeting in
"mid-July," but setting a date requires the consent of all
parties.

-- China calls for immediate corrective action in response to
reports of an FBI advertisement in San Francisco local
newspapers requesting information about Chinese espionage
activities.

-- The spokesman denied hearing anything about United States
defense officials' complaints of Chinese weapons in Iraq and
Afghanistan.

-- China supports the UN's efforts and hopes to see stability
in Burma, but believes the situation does not threaten
regional stability and should be solved internally.

-- The execution of former State Food and Drug Administration
head Zheng Xiaoyu demonstrates China's firm commitment to
fighting corruption.

China Hopes for Delegation Heads Meeting in Mid-July
--------------------------------------------- -------

2. At the July 10 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin
Gang said China hopes for a Heads of Delegation meeting in
"mid-July," but setting a date requires the consent of all
parties. Qin stressed that it is imperative for all sides to
fulfill commitments as determined in the Joint Document, when
asked if China expected the Yongbyon reactor to be shut down
before a Heads of Delegation meeting could take place. Asked
for details on A/S Hill's trip to China, Japan and the ROK,
the spokesman replied that he had no details. Qin stressed
that progress must be realized gradually in response to a
question of what measures would follow the implementation of
the initial actions.

3. One's health condition is a private issue, said Qin when
asked if FM Yang had made any comments on Kim Jong-il's
health after Yang's visit to the DPRK last week.

Espionage Accusations Groundless, Harms Relationship
--------------------------------------------- -------

4. China urges officials to take immediate corrective action
and refrain from undermining bilateral relations and
friendship, said Qin responding to reports of an FBI
advertisement in San Francisco local newspapers requesting
information about Chinese espionage activities. China voices
its indignation and resolute opposition to these groundless
accusations, Cold War mentality and spreading of the China
Threat, he added. China's national security authorities act
in accordance with law and would never undermine the
sovereignty, territorial integrity or security of another
country, Qin stated.

Arms Exports Normal and Minimal
-------------------------------

5. Qin had not heard anything about United States defense
officials' calls mentioned by a reporter for China to better
police its arms exports or the discovery of Chinese weapons
in Iraq and Afghanistan, but said the majority of weapons in
the region could not have come from China. China's serious
and cautious normal trade in arms is in accordance with
international obligations and laws and follows China's three
principles on arms sales, Qin added.

UNSG Burma Advisor Gambari Visit to China
-----------------------------------------

6. The UN Secretary General's Special Advisor on Burma
Gambari visited China July 8-10 at the invitation of the
Chinese Government and met with EVFM Dai Bingguo and AFM Cui
Tiankai to discuss issues relating to the country and UN
mediation efforts. China supports the UN's efforts and hopes
to see stability in Burma, but believes the situation does
not threaten regional stability and should be solved
internally.

BEIJING 00004577 002 OF 002

Execution of Former Food and Drug Administration Head
--------------------------------------------- --------

7. The matter of the Former State Food and Drug
Administration chief Zheng Xiaoyu's execution is outside of
the MFA spokesman's realm of responsibility, said Qin when
asked to confirm the execution. Qin noted though that the
case demonstrates China's firm commitment to fighting
corruption.

Pakistan Mosque Siege, Killing of Chinese Citizens
--------------------------------------------- -----

8. The MFA has taken note of developments, believes the
Pakistani Government is capable of handling the issue
properly and hopes for stability in Pakistan, said Qin when
asked for comment on Government forces' raid on in the Lal
Masjid Mosque in Islamabad. On the issue of three Chinese
citizens murdered in Pakistan's Northwest Territories, Qin
stated that China attaches great importance to the issue and
made immediate representation to the Pakistani Government.
He reminded Chinese citizens abroad to be aware of such
dangers and take necessary precautions.

Chinese Citizen Kidnapped in Niger
----------------------------------

9. Chinese relevant authorities are doing their best to save
a Chinese citizen taken hostage in Niger, who is currently
safe, said Qin when asked about the incident. Responding to
the reporter's suggestion that the Niger Rebels for Justice
orchestrated the kidnapping because of the Chinese company
for which the Chinese citizen works is helping fund weapons
sales that harm civilians in Niger, the spokesman remarked
that China-Niger economic cooperation is based on equality
and is beneficial to both sides and reaffirmed China's
principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of
other nations.

China an Equal Player in Fighting Climate Change
--------------------------------------------- ---

10. The cornerstone for international action on climate
change is the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities and China's responsibilities as a developing
country are based on development level and country situation,
said Qin in clarifying for reporters the application of tis
principle to China. Developed countries should take the lead
with assistance and technology transfer to enable developing
countries meet their goals. China is open and positive
toward cooperating with the international community. Asked
why China led efforts to keep climate change out of the
discussion at the recent G8 meeting, Qin responded that China
is ready to work with the developing countries as an equal
participant and to have a dialogue with the G8 countries on
an equal footing to deal with issues of climate change and
sustainable development.

Chinese Exports, Space Development
----------------------------------

11. China attaches great important to the safety and quality
of its exports, will take joint efforts to solve recent
problems and hopes the international community can
objectively and calmly treat this issue, Qin replied when
asked about recent controversy in this area. Asked about a
Canadian defense paper which mentioned China's developing
capabilities in space, Qin said MFA officials had already
commented on the issue and he had nothing more to add.
RANDT

© Scoop Media