VZCZCXRO3510
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4483/01 1861010
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051010Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9595
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 0029
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 9505
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 0080
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6565
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 8751
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0149
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0985
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 0055
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004483 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNSC KS KN JA PM GT PA AS DR RS VT
IT, CH 
SUBJECT: JULY 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, 
AUSTRALIAN DEFENSE PAPER, TAIWAN FM TRIP, PAPAL LETTER, 
WORLD BANK POLLUTION REPORT, JAPAN, EU FREE MARKET STATUS, 
PAKISTAN 
 
¶1. Key points at the July 5 MFA Press Conference were: 
 
-- It is imperative for all sides to fulfill commitments to 
denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and China holds an open 
attitude toward the resumption of Six-Party Talks. 
 
-- China hopes Defense Minister Nelson's upcoming visit will 
strengthen exchanges, increase mutual trust and allow 
Australia to make an objective judgment of China's 
development goals. 
 
-- The United States should not allow or encourage 
"splittist" activities in the United States. 
 
-- Relevant departments in China are cooperating with the 
World Bank on research for a World Bank report on pollution. 
 
Denuclearization Commitments Must Be Fulfilled 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶2. At the July 5 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin 
Gang repeated that China holds an open attitude toward 
resumption of the Six-Party Talks, saying that the relevant 
information would be released in due course.  Qin stressed 
that it is imperative for all sides to fulfill commitments to 
denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula when asked if Yongbyon 
must be shut down in order for the Talks to restart.  Asked 
about reports that the Russian FM has called for a meeting of 
the Six-Party Talks Heads of Delegation, Qin replied that the 
MFA has noticed the remarks and are in communication with the 
relevant parties.  The spokesman gave no information on FM 
Yang's trip to the DPRK. 
 
Australian Def. Minister's Visit, 2007 Defense Paper 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶3. China hopes Defense Minister Nelson's upcoming visit will 
strengthen exchanges, increase mutual trust and allow 
Australia to make an objective judgment of China's 
development goals, Qin replied when asked about the visit. 
Commenting on Australia's 2007 Defense Paper, which according 
to reporters calls China's rapid military expansion a threat 
to stability in Asia, the spokesman emphasized the defensive 
nature of China's defense policy, quoted Australian officials 
praise and encouragement for China's growth and development 
and called for consistency in relevant countries' foreign 
policy. 
 
Taiwan FM Annette Lu's Trip to Central America 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶4. China calls on the United States to abide by commitments 
in the joint communiques with China to oppose "Taiwan 
independence" and not allow or encourage "splittist" 
activities in the United States, said the spokesman when 
asked about Taiwan "Foreign Minister" Annette Lu's trip to 
Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic. 
 
Cooperation with World Bank on Pollution Report 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶5. Relevant departments in China are cooperating with the 
World Bank on research for a World Bank report on pollution, 
Qin said responding to questions on reports that China asked 
the World Bank to withhold statistis on premature deaths in 
China caused by polltion.  Qin added that the research has 
not cocluded and the report has not yet been released, 
before referring reporters to the relevant departments for 
further details. 
 
No Further Comments on Pope's Letter 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶6.  The spokesman again referred reporters to his previous 
statements on the matter, when asked to comment on criticism 
in the Hong Kong media that the Pope's letter to Chinese 
Catholics is an obstacle to progress in China-Vatican 
relations. 
 
 
BEIJING 00004483  002 OF 002 
 
 
New Japanese Defense Minister's Ties to Taiwan? 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶7. Qin spoke positively on China and Japan's consensus for 
cooperation and promotion of the bilateral relationship, when 
asked about Japan's new Defense Minister Yuriko Koike.  He 
said that regardless of a person's political party or views, 
he or she must serve his or her nation's interests upon 
assuming a high government position, when asked about reports 
that Yuriko Koike has close ties to Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan. 
Qin expressed hope that Japan would properly handle the 
Taiwan question and uphold its commitments in the two sides' 
three political documents. 
 
Illegal Border Crosser in Jilin 
------------------------------- 
 
¶8. Qin reiterated China's consistent stance on illegal border 
crossers and intention to fulfill obligations to relevant 
countries on such issues, when asked about reports of an 
illegal border crosser robbing Chinese citizens at gun point 
near the DPRK border in Jilin Province. 
 
Lal Masjid, EU Market Status, Hostages in Vegas 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶9. China supports the Pakistani Government's measures taken 
to safeguard social stability and economic development, said 
Qin when asked about the Lal Masjid Mosque situation in 
Islamabad.  Asked for information on reports that Italian PM 
Prodi promised China to push for the EU's granting China 
"free market status," Qin replied that such recognition would 
benefit both China and the EU and promote the development of 
the two side's economic relations.  The spokesman was not 
aware of reports on a Chinese acrobat group held hostage in 
Las Vegas. 
RANDT