Wikileaks - CCLXV
57411 3/21/2006 11:03 06BEIJING5223 Embassy Beijing UNCLASSIFIED 06BEIJING5223 VZCZCXRO6378 OO RUEHCN DE RUEHBJ #5223/01 0801103 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 211103Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0756 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU IMMEDIATE 3712 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 1052 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0905 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0840 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 005223
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL, ECON, PHUM, PARM, CH, IR SUBJECT: MARCH 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CONGRESSIONAL VISIT, U.S.-CHINA FRICTIONS, PUTIN VISIT, IRANIAN NUCLEAR ISSUE, IRAQ, UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR REPORT, UNHCR, ZHAO YAN, MA YING-JEOU, TANG TO NEPAL, INFORMATION DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL SHUFFLE
REF: FBIS 20060320005005
Summary
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1. Key points made at the March 21 MFA press briefing are as follows:
- During a March 21 meeting with U.S. Senators Graham, Schumer and Coburn, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing emphasized that the two countries should view bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and properly resolve disputes.
- Beijing hopes Washington will take an objective, fair and rational view of China's development.
- During Russian President Putin's visit to China, he and Chinese leaders will discuss the Iranian nuclear issue, which both countries hope to resolve through diplomacy.
- Restoring stability and promoting reconstruction are the most pressing issues on Iraq.
- China expresses dissatisfaction and regret over the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture's report on his visit to China.
- Beijing hopes the visit by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will help enhance mutual confidence and cooperation.
- China's judicial organs will handle the case of detained NYT journalist Zhao Yan according to the law.
- Asked about KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou's visit to the United States, MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang said that China does not challenge non-official exchanges between Taiwan and other parties.
- While visiting Nepal State Councilor Tang highlighted that China will not alter its policy of friendship toward Nepal, regardless of changes in the international situation.
- Director General of the MFA Information Department Kong Quan has been appointed Director General for European Affairs. Deputy Director General Liu Jianchao is the new Information Department DG.
- Romanian President Basescu will visit China March 27-29. Polish FM Meller will visit China March 28-30. Algerian FM Bedjaoui will pay a visit March 27-29. End Summary.
U.S. Congressional Delegation and Bilateral Frictions
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2. During the regular March 21 MFA press briefing, MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang noted that U.S. Senators Graham, Schumer and Coburn arrived in Beijing earlier in the day and will also visit Shanghai and Hong Kong before departing on March 26. The Senators will meet National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Vice Chairman Sheng Huaren, State Councilor Wu Yi and leading officials from the MFA, NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Commerce and People's Bank of China (PBOC). In a recently concluded meeting with the U.S. delegation, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing stressed that U.S.-China cooperation serves the interests of both nations and the world at large. In recent years bilateral ties have sustained positive momentum and achieved progress in a wide range of areas including nonproliferation, avian influenza, the Iranian nuclear issue and Afghanistan's reconstruction. FM Li emphasized that Beijing and Washington should view bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and properly resolve disputes in order to promote overall constructive and cooperative relations in the 21st century. FM Li also expressed
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China's consistent position on Taiwan.
2. The U.S. Senators stated that the two countries should continue to promote close relations and resolve bilateral differences by adopting a "conciliatory attitude" and conducting negotiations in order to avoid creating a rift in the relationship, Qin continued. They expressed the hope that China will continue to develop and "reunify" at some point in the future. The Senators conveyed their views on the RMB revaluation and U.S.-China trade issues. FM Li briefed them on Beijing's exchange rate policy and perspective on bilateral trade, highlighting that trade is mutually beneficial. U.S.-China frictions should be resolved on the basis of equality and consultation and should not be politicized or exaggerated.
U.S. Should Adopt "Fair" View of PRC Military Policy
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3. Asked by the AP correspondent about Beijing's reported protests to Washington over the recently released U.S. National Security Strategy report and about PRC defense policy, Qin noted that he had issued an official statement on the matter on March 20 (ref). Maintaining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity is the irrefutable responsibility of the Chinese Government, he stressed. China's defense expenditure aims to raise the standard of living of PLA servicemen within a "new context" and to counterbalance rising prices. Questioned whether U.S. pressure on China would dampen the atmosphere for President Hu Jintao's April visit, Qin remarked that China wishes to step up dialogue and cooperation with the United States. Beijing has addressed U.S. concerns pertaining to China's development path and economic and trade frictions on many occasions. The two countries must consider each other's concerns and interests in handling bilateral ties. The United States has raised the concept of China becoming a stakeholder, but this is a "two-way issue," Qin asserted. Beijing hopes Washington will take an objective, fair and rational view of China's development and properly handle bilateral disputes.
4. Asked to comment on the recently concluded U.S.- Australia-Japan security dialogue, Qin called on the three countries to take more steps to build confidence and maintain peace and security in the region. Remarking that some people view the trilateral security meeting as targeted against China, Qin stressed that Beijing and Washington should develop constructive and cooperative relations, which is the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders. Over the past few years, bilateral relations in general have developed smoothly, particularly in handling several international issues, and this "hard won" progress should be cherished. The United States and China should implement the consensus reached by their leaders. Washington should adopt an objective view toward China and avoid remarks that do not benefit bilateral cooperation or global peace and stability.
President Putin's Visit
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5. During Russian President Putin's March 21-22 visit to China he will meet President Hu, Premier Wen Jiabao and NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo, Qin reported in response to a question on Putin's agenda and whether he will discuss joint oil pipeline construction. The two nations will sign a number of bilateral agreements covering a wide range of fields. Russia has expressed its willingness to work with China on the pipeline construction, and Beijing is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Moscow on this issue. Discussing the significance of the China- Russia strategic partnership, Qin noted that the two leaders issued a joint declaration on the international order to promote global peace and stability. The two countries have completely resolved
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their border dispute, established a parliamentary exchange mechanism, conducted joint military exercises and enhanced counterterrorism cooperation, particularly in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework.
China-Russia Consensus on Iranian Nuclear Issue
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6. Asked by the Kyodo News Agency correspondent whether the two Presidents will discuss the Iranian and North Korea nuclear issues and Russia's proposal on Iranian nuclear enrichment activities, Qin noted that the topics will be raised. Both countries maintain a constructive attitude toward helping achieve a resolution and share the objective of resolving the issue in a peaceful manner. China believes there is still potential to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation, Qin highlighted. All the parties should demonstrate flexibility in order to create conditions conducive to a proper settlement. Reiterating that China and Russia share common views on the issue, Qin asserted that Russia's proposal is a helpful attempt to break the current impasse and achieve a final resolution. China supports all such efforts. Asked by the AFP reporter to comment on the British and French draft circulating in the UNSC, Qin remarked that a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue is in the interests of all the parties concerned, including UNSC members, and all the parties should step up negotiations. He highlighted that the U.S. Ambassador to the UN has stated that all the parties should continue consultations, adding that this is not only the wish of China and Russia but of all the nations concerned.
Iraq
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7. Asked about the anniversary of the Iraq war, Qin remarked that countries should resolve disputes through negotiation. The most pressing issue is to promote Iraq's reconstruction efforts and restore stability to Iraq.
China "Dissatisfied" with UN Special Rapporteur Report
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8. Asked to comment on the recently issued report by UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nowak on his November 2005 visit to China, Qin expressed China's dissatisfaction and regret over the report. He argued that Nowak's report did not represent a comprehensive and objective reflection of China's efforts to prevent torture. While the paper made some positive comments on China's steps to eliminate the use of torture, it contained many problems, was based on incorrect and unverified information, exceeded the scope of Nowak's authority, indicated a misunderstanding of Chinese law and held unfair views toward Chinese law. China has laws and a supervisory mechanism to prevent the use of torture, Qin asserted.
Visit by UN High Commissioner for Refugees
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9. Qin noted that the MFA invited UN High Commissioner for Refugees Guterres to visit China March 20-22. He will meet State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and officials from the MFA, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Civil Affairs to discuss refugee issues and China's cooperation with the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Beijing hopes the visit will help enhance mutual confidence and cooperation. Earlier in the day High Commissioner Guterres held positive talks with FM Li, who expressed the hope that the UNHCR will cooperate with China on refugee treatment issues. Asked whether North Korean refugees in China will be discussed, Qin argued that they are illegal migrants and not refugees. China will continue to follow PRC
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and international laws and humanitarian principles in dealing with these people, he stated.
NYT Reporter Zhao Yan
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10. Asked by the New York Times correspondent about the legal status of detained NYT reporter Zhao Yan, Qin declined to discuss the details of the case. "We should trust China's judicial organs to handle the matter according to the law," he suggested.
Ma Ying-jeou U.S. Trip
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11. Asked whether KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou's visit to the United States constitutes a violation of the U.S. one-China policy, Qin replied that China does not challenge non-official exchanges between Taiwan and other parties. Beijing, however, firmly opposes Taiwan actions aimed at splitting China.
State Councilor Tang's Visit to Nepal
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12. Qin reported that during State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan's March 16-18 visit to Nepal, he met King Gyanendra, FM Pandey, Vice Chairmen of the Council of Ministers and Chairmen of the Nepali Congress and Communist Parties. Tang highlighted that China will not alter its policy of friendship toward Nepal, regardless of changes in the international situation. He said that Beijing will not interfere in other countries' internal affairs and Nepal should select its own path of development. China will continue to back Nepal's efforts to maintain its stability and territorial integrity. Nepali leaders thanked China for its consistent support, according to Qin.
CPPCC Chairman Jia in Vietnam
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13. During a March 20-24 visit to Vietnam, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Chairman Jia Qinglin met with Vietnamese Communist Party Central Committee Executive Secretary Phan Dien, Qin noted. The commented on the positive development of inter-party relations, economic and trade relations, the gradual resolution of border disputes and the implementation of the Gulf of Tonkin Treaty. Chairman Jia made a two-point proposal to further enhance bilateral exchanges and deepen cooperation in these areas.
MFA Information Department Personnel Change
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14. Qin confirmed that Director General of the MFA Information Department has been appointed Director General for European Affairs, due to "work considerations." Deputy Director General Liu Jianchao has been named the new Information Department DG.
Upcoming Visits
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15. Qin announced that Romanian President Basescu will visit China March 27-29. Polish FM Meller will visit China March 28-30. Algerian FM Bedjaoui will apy a visit March 27-29. RANDT
