Wikileaks - MCCLXXI
192313 2/17/2009 9:06 09BEIJING398 Embassy Beijing UNCLASSIFIED VZCZCXRO3957 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #0398/01 0480906 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 170906Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2333 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6825 RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0113 RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 0063 RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0071 RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 0171 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 1068 UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000398
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, CH, KS, KN, IN, PK, CB, VM, VT
SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY OF STATE VISIT, KOREAN PENNINSULA, FINANCIAL CRISIS
BEIJING 00000398 001.2 OF 002
1. Key points at the February 17 MFA Press Briefing:
-- China hopes to "increase mutual trust" and promote "the sound and stable development" of relations "in the new era" during the Secretary of State's visit.
-- China hopes that North and South Korea will "increase mutual trust" and "solve problems through dialogue" to maintain the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.
-- China is ready to "strengthen cooperation and join hands" with the international community to combat the financial crisis.
-- "As a friend to both Pakistan and India," China hopes both parties can be "dedicated to peace and stability in the region."
Secretary of State Visit
------------------------
2. China has "noted" Secretary of State Clinton's recent speech on U.S. policy toward Asia, said MFA spokesperson Jiang Yu at the February 17 Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference. Jiang said that the speech "stressed that the United States is ready to work with Asian countries." China "welcomes" a United States "role in ensuring peace and stability in the region" and "bilateral relations are in the interest of the two peoples," said Jiang. China hopes to "increase mutual trust" and promote "the sound and stable development" of relations "in the new era" during the Secretary's visit. Pressed for specifics, Jiang said that during the Secretary's visit there would be a "deep exchange of views on a wide range of issues."
North Korea Missile Test
------------------------
3. "Relevant parties should work together to maintain peace and stability" said Jiang when asked for China's response to reported North Korean missile launch preparations. China hopes that North and South Korea will "increase mutual trust" and "solve problems through dialogue" to maintain the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. China did wish Kim Jong-il a happy birthday, but Jiang had no information as to whether China gave the North Korean leader any presents. Jiang noted that this year marks the 6Oth anniversary of relations between China and North Korea and China hopes bilateral relations will "continue to make progress."
Financial Crisis
----------------
4. China is ready to "strengthen cooperation and join hands" with the international community to resolve the financial crisis, said Jiang. China has already begun using a "positive fiscal policy" and "relaxed monetary policy" to address the situation, said Jiang. China hopes that countries will "increase cooperation," "pay attention to development issues and increase representation for developing countries." China also hopes the London G-20 summit on financial stability will have a "positive result."
Pakistan and India
------------------
5. China "welcomes" any actions "conducive to easing tension in the region" said Jiang in response to a question regarding Pakistan-India relations. China has "noted" the "real actions" toward this end from both India and Pakistan. "As a friend to both Pakistan and India," China hopes both parties can be "dedicated to peace and stability in the region." Regarding Pakistan President Asif Zardari's upcoming visit to China, Jiang said "we will do all we can, within our ability, to help Pakistan develop its economy and society."
Cambodian Genocide Trials
-------------------------
6. Asked repeatedly for comments on accusations that China was complicit in the genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, Jiang said that China has always followed a policy of peaceful coexistence. Jiang noted that "at the time, Cambodia had a seat at the UN." China hopes that the international community can "respect the choices of the Cambodian people and government."
Vietnam War
-----------
BEIJING 00000398 002.2 OF 002
7. Asked how China will commemorate the 30th anniversary of its invasion of Vietnam, Jiang said that "China and Vietnam had an unhappy part of history." However, the "important thing" is that leaders of both countries agreed to have good bilateral relations "many years ago." China and Vietnam should "put the past behind them and face the future," said Jiang. Jiang said that China and Vietnam enjoy "good neighborly relations" and a "healthy and stable cooperative partnership." Jiang noted that the land border delineation program "has been completed on schedule." Asked whether China would influence Vietnam's relations with the Vatican, Jiang said that China "has never interfered in the internal affairs of another country."
Relations with Latin America
----------------------------
8. Jiang had no information regarding Chinese Communist Party Central Committee International Liaison Department (CCID) director Wang Jiarui's trip to Latin America. However, she noted that Vice President Xi Jinping recently visited the region. Jiang said that China and Latin American countries have "common interests" and China intends to develop relations based on "mutual benefit."
Wu Hongbo Travel
----------------
9. Asked about Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo's current trip to Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Greece, Jiang said the trip is aimed at implementing a consultative mechanism between the Chinese MFA and those countries.
PICCUTA
