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O 191000Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2412
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6831
RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 0014
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0457

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000431 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SENV CH KS PK
 
SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CLIMATE CHANGE, SECRETARY'S 
VISIT, GUANTANAMO BAY UIGHURS 
 
¶1. Key points at the February 19 MFA Press Briefing: 
 
-- China "takes a positive attitude towards strengthening 
cooperation" on climate change and would "like to work with the 
United States." 
 
-- Good relations between the United States and China are "conducive 
to peace and stability" and in the mutual interest of both nations. 
 
-- The United States should "hand over the Chinese terror suspects" 
being held at Guantanamo Bay so that China can "handle their cases 
according to law." 
 
-- China has sent consular officials to deal with the aftermath of a 
February 15 accident involving a Chinese cargo ship near Russia. 
 
Climate Change 
-------------- 
 
¶2. Climate change is a "common challenge faced by the international 
community" and should be "tackled together," said MFA spokesperson 
Jiang Yu at the February 19 press conference.  Both the United 
States and China are "major countries" and tackling the issue is "in 
the interests of both."  China "takes a positive attitude toward 
strengthening cooperation" and would "like to work with the United 
States." Jiang said that China's "determination and resolve" has not 
been diminished by the financial crisis.  China also hopes to see 
positive results from the COP 15 UN Climate Change Congress to take 
place in Copenhagen, said Jiang. 
 
Visit of Secretary of State 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3. The spokesperson would "not predict" what issues will be 
discussed during Secretary of State Clinton's visit to China. 
However, Jiang said that "the two sides will exchange views on 
bilateral relations" and other issues of mutual interest.  China 
hopes the visit will "strengthen dialogue," and "increase mutual 
trust in the new era."  Regarding bilateral relations with the 
United States, Jiang said that good relations are "conducive to 
peace and stability" and in the mutual interest of both nations. 
 
Guantanamo Bay Uighurs 
----------------------- 
 
¶4. The United States should "hand over the Chinese terror suspects" 
being held in Guantanamo Bay so that China can "handle their cases 
according to law," said Jiang.  She added that the Chinese, who are 
ethnically Uighur, are suspected of being "members of the East 
Turkestan Islamic Movement," which has been declared a terrorist 
organization by the UN Security Council. 
 
Taiwan Issue and Relations with the United States 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶5. The "one China policy" is an "important basis" and China hopes 
"relevant countries can stick to their commitments," said Jiang. 
China also hopes that the United States "can stick to the three 
joint communiques covering the issue" and "support the peaceful 
development of cross-Strait ties." 
 
Chinese Cargo Ship Incident 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6. China has sent consular officials to deal with the aftermath of a 
February 15 incident involving a Chinese-owned, Sierre Leone-flagged 
cargo ship that was reportedly fired upon and sunk by the Russian 
navy near Nakhodka, Russia.  Jiang said that three Chinese crew 
members have been rescued and seven are still missing.  China has 
"made representations to the Russian side" asking for an "effective 
investigation and help in finding the missing sailors."  Jiang noted 
that the rescue efforts are ongoing. 
 
Xi Jinping in Brazil 
--------------------- 
 
¶7. Both China and Brazil are "large developing nations" and good 
relations between the two is "conducive to expanding the voice of 
developing countries," said Jiang.  China will release information 
on any agreements signed by Vice President Xi Jinping during his 
trip to Brazil "at the appropriate time."  Jiang noted that China 
and Brazil have been "deepening bilateral relations and increasing 
trade." 
 
China-France Bilateral Relations 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶8. The "difficulties" in France-China bilateral relations are "not 
 
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the responsibility of China," said Jiang. France should "take 
positive regard of China's position and effective action to bring 
the relationship back on track."  As part of the disposal of Yves 
Saint Laurent's estate in Paris, Christie's plans to auction two 
Chinese statues that were looted by Franco-British troops during the 
1860 Second Opium War destruction of Beijing's Old Summer Palace. 
Asked about the planned sale, Jiang referred the reporter to the 
Ministry of Culture, but noted that France should take notice of the 
"position of the Chinese government and the feelings of the Chinese 
people." 
 
Visit of Pakistan President 
--------------------------- 
 
¶9. China is "looking forward to" and "attaches great importance to" 
the visit of Pakistan President Asif Zardari.  State Councilor Dai 
Bingguo will travel to Hubei to meet with Zardari. 
 
Opium Commemoration 
------------------- 
 
¶10. China will hold events in Shanghai from February 26-27 to 
commemorate the 1909 meeting of the International Opium Commission, 
said the spokesperson. 
 
CASS Professor Arrested? 
------------------------ 
 
¶11. Asked about reports that China Academy of Social Science 
professor Jin Xide has been arrested for divulging secrets regarding 
the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, Jiang said that she 
had "seen the reports" but had no information about the issue. 
 
Visit of South Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶12. South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade will visit 
China from February 24-25. 
 
 
 
PICCUTA