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FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6978
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0300
RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 0043
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1942
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0243
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1337
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 3785
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2863
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0635
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0936
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1334
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 010606 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PINS CH JP KN
SUBJECT: MAY 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: HAMAS FM VISIT, IRAN 
NUCLEAR ISSUE, INDONESIA EARTHQUAKE, INDIA DEFENSE MINISTER 
VISIT, EAST TIMOR EVACUATION 
 
 
BEIJING 00010606  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  Key points made at the May 25 MFA press briefing are as 
follows: 
 
-- FM Mahmoud Al-Zahhar will visit Beijing to attend the 
China-Arab Cooperation Forum.  China will use the opportunity 
to explain China's position that Hamas needs to give up 
violence, recognize Israel and abide by past agreements 
between Israel and "Palestine." 
 
-- Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo will attend 
the June 1 P-5 plus Germany meeting in Vienna to discuss the 
Iran nuclear issue 
 
-- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun will visit China from 
May 30 to June 6 to exchange views on issues of common 
interest, including the Korean nuclear issue. 
 
-- China has dispatched 430 peacekeeping "officials" to 
Sudan. 
 
-- India Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee and PRC Defense 
Minister Cao Gangchuan signed an MOU to increase military 
exchanges. 
 
-- Beijing provided Indonesia USD 2 million in cash and RMB 
10 million in emergency material and equipment and sent 
China's international emergency assistance team in response 
to the earthquake. 
 
-- China sent two charter planes to evacuate about 200 
overseas Chinese and some PRC Embassy staff from East Timor. 
 
End Summary. 
 
Hamas FM Al-Zahhar's Visit 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2.  MFA Spokesperson Liu Jianchao answered numerous questions 
regarding Palestinian FM Mahmoud Al-Zahhar visit to China to 
participate in the second China-Arab Cooperation Forum.  FM 
Al-Zahhar will meet with FM Li Zhaoxing, although Liu made a 
point to not respond to the specific question on whether it 
would be a bilateral meeting.  Beijing considers the current 
situation very worrisome and will use the opportunity of the 
Palestinian Foreign Minister's visit to explain China's 
principled, clear and consistent position that Hamas needs to 
give-up violence, recognize Israel and abide by past 
agreement between Israel and "Palestine."  China also firmly 
believes that the parties should follow all UN resolutions, 
abide by the principle of land for peace and engage in direct 
consultations.  China does not support the use of economic 
sanctions or a blockade.  Acknowledging that Israel has 
expressed concern about FM Al-Zahhar's visit, Liu said 
Beijing has explained its longstanding position clearly to 
Tel Aviv and is confident that this matter will not affect 
long-term Sino-Israeli relations. 
 
Iran Nuclear Issue 
------------------ 
 
¶3.  Liu reported that Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai 
Bingguo will attend the June 1 P-5 plus Germany meeting in 
Vienna to discuss the Iran nuclear issue.  China's continuing 
position is that the situation needs to be solved peacefully 
through diplomatic means, with all parties taking 
constructive attitudes to create a favorable environment. 
The PRC appreciates the EU-3's plan to address Iran's 
reasonable requests.   While Iran is allowed peaceful use of 
nuclear energy as a signatory to the NPT, Iran must also 
adhere to all of its other commitments under the NPT, Liu 
affirmed. 
 
 
BEIJING 00010606  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
DPRK Foreign Minister's Visit 
----------------------------- 
 
¶4.  Liu confirmed that DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun 
will visit Beijing from May 30 to June 6.  He will meet with 
Premier Wen Jiabao and FM Li to exchange views on bilateral 
relations and issues of common interest, including the Korean 
nuclear issue.  FM Paek will also visit Guangzhou and 
Shenzhen. 
 
PRC Dispatches Peacekeepers to Sudan 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶5.  Liu said China has dispatched 430 peacekeeping 
"officials" to Sudan.  This is another example of China's 
important role in international peacekeeping operations, 
including Haiti and East Timor.  As for the situation in 
Darfur, Liu said China hopes the UN and African Union will 
continue to consult and reach an agreement quickly. 
 
Another Japan-PRC FM Meeting? 
---------------------------- 
 
¶6.  In response to question about Japan FM Taro Aso 
requesting to meet FM Li at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 
Kuala Lumpur, Liu said any future meetings will be discussed 
via diplomatic channels.  The Yasukuni Shrine issue is the 
most important bilateral problem and relations will only 
improve after it is resolved properly, he stated. 
 
PRC-India Sign Military MOU 
--------------------------- 
 
¶7.  In response to a question from a Reuters reporter, Liu 
said India Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee has met with FM 
Li Zhaoxing and Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan.  The two 
defense ministers signed an MOU to increase mil-mil exchanges 
that will bring mutual benefit to both countries and is not 
targeted against any specific third nation.  Both sides agree 
on the overall positive nature of the relationship and that 
increased military exchanges will be beneficial to the 
further development of cooperative relations and the 
formulation of a strategic partnership. 
 
PRC Responds to Indonesia Earthquake 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶8.  The Government of China took swift action following the 
Indonesia earthquake, Liu told a China News Agency reporter. 
Beijing immediately provided USD 2 million in cash and will 
send RMB 10 million in emergency material and equipment. 
China's international emergency assistance team is already on 
the ground in the affected area.  Beijing is not aware of any 
PRC citizens injured or killed by the earthquake. 
 
East Timor: PRC Evacuates Overseas Chinese 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶9.  Liu stated that China is very worried about the situation 
in East Timor and hopes it quickly stabilizes.  In response 
to the deteriorating circumstances, China sent two charter 
planes to evacuate about 200 of the approximately 500 
overseas Chinese living in East Timor.  An unspecified number 
of PRC Embassy staff also returned to China on the flights. 
 
Afghanistan 
----------- 
 
¶10.  Liu said Afghanistan is a close neighbor and China 
monitors the situation there very closely.  China hopes the 
situation stabilizes as soon as possible.  The Government of 
China has requested the Afghanistan government ensure of the 
safety of Chinese citizens and the PRC Embassy in Kabul. 
 
Montenegro Independence Referendum 
 
BEIJING 00010606  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶11.  Answering a UPI question on whether China will recognize 
an independent Montenegro, Liu said that China has taken note 
of the referendum in Montenegro and will respect the choice 
of the Montenegro people.  Liu said there is no relation to 
the Taiwan issue because Taiwan is an indisputable part of 
China. 
 
PRC Withdrawal from Naval Exercise 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶12. Liu responded to a Global Radio News reporter's question 
on China's withdrawal from an international maritime exercise 
sponsored by Japan by saying the PRC naval vessels had "other 
arrangements. 
 
Case of Lai Changxing 
--------------------- 
 
¶13.  Liu batted aside questions about whether China's 
most-wanted fugitive Lai Changxing would be returning to 
China, simply saying he is still in Canada. 
 
Visits to China 
--------------- 
 
¶14.  Philippine VP Noli De Castro will visit June 4-9.  Ghana 
FM Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo will visit June 5-8. 
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin will visit June 
5-7.  Ecuador FM Carrion will also be visiting soon, although 
Liu declined to provide dates. 
RANDT