Cablegate: December 3, 2009 Mfa Press Briefing: Climate Change, South

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OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3239 3380303
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040303Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7058
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0030
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0692
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9452

UNCLAS BEIJING 003239

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC MARR SENV CH AF IR CA RS

SUBJECT: DECEMBER 3, 2009 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CLIMATE CHANGE, SOUTH
ASIAN SECURITY, REPATRIATION ISSUES WITH CANADA

1. Key points at the December 3 MFA press briefing were:

-- China believes developing countries such as China and India do
not have an "obligation" to binding initial carbon reduction
targets.

-- China hopes to cooperate and sustain the momentum on dialogue
with the United States regarding South Asian security.

-- While China maintains that Lai Changxing should be repatriated
from Canada, China will not grant consular access to Hussein Celil,
a Canadian citizen of Chinese Uighur descent currently detained in
China.

No "Obligation" on Climate Change
----------------------------------

2. At the December 3 regularly scheduled Foreign Ministry press
briefing, Spokesperson Qin Gang briefed on China's objectives for
the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Qin noted
that China advocated adherence to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol, and the Bali
roadmap. The UNFCC principle of "common but differentiated
responsibilities" should be observed in order to reach consensus.
Qin noted that developed countries should establish a reduction plan
including financial support and technology transfers to developing
countries for sustainable development.

3. Qin also stated that developing countries, such as China and
India, were victims of climate change and, as such, did not have an
obligation to binding initial carbon reduction targets. Qin claimed
that China and India, in particular, held similar positions,
concerns, and demands. Qin stated that developed countries should
first demonstrate "substantial" carbon reduction.

Cooperation in South Asia
-------------------------

4. China hoped the international community would contribute to
establishing peace and stability in South Asia while fully
respecting those countries' independence, sovereignty, and
territorial integrity, said Qin. When asked to comment on President
Obama's announcement of a troop surge in Afghanistan, Qin responded
that China hoped to sustain the momentum of the dialogue with the
United States on these regional issues. The U.S.-China Joint
Statement issued during President Obama's November 2009 visit
highlighted related efforts by both sides to establish peace and
stability in Afghanistan, he concluded.

Measured Stance against Iran's Nuclear Program
--------------------------------------------- --

5. Qin emphasized that China's support for a resolution of the Iran
nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation rather than sanctions
did not contradict China's vote in favor of the resolution passed by
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calling Iran to
clarify all outstanding issues involving its nuclear program. Qin
asserted that China supported non-proliferation efforts, as well as
building peace and stability in the Middle East.

Repatriation Issues with Canada
-------------------------------

6. When asked to comment on outstanding repatriation issues between
China and Canada, Qin stated that Lai Changxing, a Chinese citizen
who has been in Canada since 1999, was a criminal and should be
repatriated by the Canadian government. Asked whether or not China
would grant Canada consular access to Hussein Celil, a Canadian
citizen of Chinese Uighur descent, Qin responded that Celil was
Chinese and a member of the East Turkestan Independence Movement.
The UN had declared the East Turkestan Independence Movement a
terrorist organization and the Chinese government would handle
Celil's case as an internal affair, Qin declared.

4th China-Russia Strategic Security Consultation
--------------------------------------------- ---

7. Qin announced that the fourth session of the China-Russia
Strategic Security Consultations would be held December 7 between
Dai Bingguo and Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay
Petrushev.

HUNTSMAN

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