VZCZCXRO0748
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #1991/01 1431013
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221013Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7461
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1934
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0666
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9001

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001991 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY PTER TSPA KS IR TW VM ZI
SUBJECT: MAY 22 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SICHUAN EARTHQUAKE, BAN KI-MOON 
CHINA VISIT, OLYMPIC SECURITY, ZIMBABWE WEAPONS, SOUTH CHINA SEA, 
IRAN NUCLEAR PROPOSALS, SPACE WEAPONS, OTHER 
 
 
¶1.  Key points at the May 22 MFA press briefing were: 
 
-- Only 400,000 of 3.3 million tents needed in the disaster areas of 
Sichuan have been delivered. 
 
-- Consultations are ongoing for a possible visit to China by Ban 
Ki-moon. 
 
-- Spokesperson had no information about a potential dirty bomb 
threat to the Olympics. 
 
-- Reports that Chinese weapons were delivered to Zimbabwe are 
"groundless and complete fabrications." 
 
-- Spokesperson had no information about reported oil platforms 
being towed into the South China Sea with navy escorts. 
 
-- China is still considering Iran's nuclear proposals. 
 
-- China has never and will never participate in an "arms race in 
outer space." 
 
 
International Assistance for Earthquake 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. At the May 22, 2008 regular MFA press briefing, MFA Spokesman Qin 
Gang said China is "in urgent need" of tents and shelters for those 
displaced by the Sichuan earthquake of May 12.  Qin said that 3.3 
million tents were required, but that only 400,000 have been sent so 
far.  Blankets, clothing, food, medicine and medical and rescue 
equipment are also needed.  Qin also listed total donations so far 
including 492 million RMB delivered, and 615 million RMB promised 
through diplomatic channels. 
 
Ban Ki-moon Possible Visit to China 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶3. In response to a question about UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 
possibly visiting China after his visit to Burma, Qin said that he 
was not in a position to release information but that 
"consultations" were ongoing.  Qin said that China was very grateful 
for the expressions of condolences by the UN Security Council and 
Ban.  Qin said that these comments show that the international 
community stands with the Chinese government and people. 
 
No Information on Dirty Bomb Threat 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶4. Asked to respond to comments from an International Atomic Energy 
Association (IAEA) spokesperson regarding the possibility of a 
"dirty bomb" attack on the Beijing Olympics, Qin said he had no 
specific information about the threat.  Qin also said that China 
attaches great importance to the safety of those visiting for the 
Olympics. 
 
Arms Not Delivered to Zimbabwe 
------------------------------ 
 
¶5. Responding to a question about China's reported arms shipment to 
Zimbabwe, Qin said that the military goods "will return to China" 
and that the An Yue Jiang is currently on its way back to China. 
Qin called reports to the contrary "groundless and complete 
fabrications."  Pressed on whether China had spoken to the 
Zimbabwean government about the issue, Qin would only say that 
"because the reports are groundless, there is nothing to discuss." 
 
Oil Platform in South China Sea 
------------------------------- 
 
¶6. Asked about reports that a Chinese oil platform had been towed 
into the South China Sea escorted by Chinese naval vessels, Qin said 
that he had not heard of related information.  Qin went on to say 
that China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea and 
its islands.  China would like to solve disputes over the sea 
peacefully. 
 
Ian Nuclear Proposals 
---------------------- 
¶7. Qin had no response to Iran's nuclear propoal, saying that 
relevant Chinese authorities were still studying the document. 
China would like to see the issue resolved diplomatically and all 
parties should show flexibility, said Qin. China would like to see 
the talks resume at an early date. 
 
Arms Race in Outer Space 
 
BEIJING 00001991  002 OF 002 
 
 
------------- ---------- 
 
¶8. Asked to respond to recent comments by Army Brigadier General 
Jeffrey Horne regarding China's efforts to build space weapons, Qin 
said China "cannot accept such remarks."  Qin said that China has 
never and will never participate in an "arms race in outer space." 
China supports the peaceful development of space and opposes an arms 
race in outer space, said Qin.  China hopes that U.S. officials will 
contribute to the mutual trust between the two countries. 
 
Six-Party Talks Positive Momentum 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶9. Qin said he had no information about a date for the next round of 
Six-Party Talks, but had heard the momentum of the consultations has 
been "positive."  China will continue to communicate and consult 
with relevant parties to promote the talks. 
 
Lee Myung-bak Visit 
------------------- 
 
¶10. Qin announced that South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will 
visit China from May 27-30.  Lee will meet with Hu Jintao on the 
afternoon of May 27 and then hold a joint press conference.  On May 
28, Lee will meet with Wu Bangguo, CPPCC National Committee Chairman 
Jia Qinglin and Wen Jiabao. 
 
Dalai Lama Olympics Attendance 
------------------------------ 
 
¶11. Qin said he had heard the Dalai Lama's remarks saying that he 
would be willing to attend the Beijing Olympics.  Qin said, "if the 
Dalai Lama wants to make contributions to his motherland" he should 
stop his separatist activities, plotting and provoking violence and 
disrupting the Olympics.  Qin said that the specific time table for 
the next round of talks is under discussion and noted that China is 
focused on disaster relief at this time. 
 
China Finance Minister G-8 Invitation 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶12. Qin said he had "no idea" whether the G-8 had invited the 
Chinese Finance Minister to its upcoming meeting in Japan.  Any 
invitation would be given "serious consideration."  China has been 
active in strengthening its cooperation with the G-8, said Qin. 
 
Taiwan Talks 
------------ 
 
¶13. Asked about Chen Yunlin's comments on restarting talks with 
Taiwan, Qin said that as the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, he could 
not address this issue. 
 
RANDT