VZCZCXRO3034
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #1170/01 1200930
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300930Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3756
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0597
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4547
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0739
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1203
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001170 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC CH JA FR KN KS SP MX
 
SUBJECT: APRIL 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK, Visas, Japan, Visits 
 
¶1. Key points at the April 30 MFA press briefing: 
 
-- China hopes that all parties involved can safeguard the Six-Party 
Talks.  China and Japan are both willing to increase communication 
and coordination for peace and prosperity in East Asia and the 
world. 
 
-- Foreign reports that China is tightening its visa policies in 
advance of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC are 
"groundless and irresponsible." 
 
-- Regarding historical sensitivities, China hopes that Japan uses 
the past "as a mirror to face up to the future" and makes 
"unremitting" efforts in developing relations. 
 
DPRK Demands Apology 
-------------------- 
 
¶2. China hopes that all parties will proceed from their "relevant 
interests" and safeguard the Six-Party Talks, MFA Spokesperson Jiang 
Yu said at the April 30 regular MFA press briefing in response to a 
question on North Korea's threat to continue nuclear and ICBM tests 
unless the UN Security Council apologizes for "infringing" on the 
country's sovereignty.  China is willing to work with other parties 
for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, she said.  Asked 
whether Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso would raise the topic in 
his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the spokesperson said 
she could not predict their topics of discussion.  However, in Aso's 
meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao April 29, both sides 
expressed willingness to increase communication and coordination for 
peace and prosperity in East Asia as well as in the world.  Asked 
whether North Korea's statement would harm Sino-DPRK friendship 
during this, the Year of China-North Korea Friendship, the 
spokesperson declined to answer as the question was hypothetical. 
 
Sino-Japanese Relations 
----------------------- 
 
¶3. Asked to characterize relations between China and Japan in the 
wake of Prime Minister Taro Aso's gift offering sent to the Yasukuni 
shrine, the spokesperson responded only that Aso is currently 
visiting China, and met today with leaders from a steel company and 
with young entrepreneurs.  Regarding historical sensitivities, China 
hopes that Japan honors its commitments and uses the past "as a 
mirror to face up to the future." China hopes Japan makes 
"unremitting" efforts in developing relations. 
 
No Tightening of Visa Policies 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. Foreign reports that China is tightening its visa policies in 
advance of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC are 
"groundless and irresponsible," the spokesperson said. 
 
Questions Not Answered: Pork, Taiwan 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶5. Asked to respond to U.S. statements that there is no scientific 
basis for the Chinese ban on pork products from Mexico and some U.S. 
states, and whether Spanish and French pork would also be banned, 
the spokesperson directed the questioner to the State Council 
Information Office, the Ministry of Health and the Administration 
for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.  Asked whether 
the Chinese and Taiwanese militaries may sign an agreement in the 
near future, the spokesperson directed the questioner to the 
competent authorities. 
 
Visits 
------ 
 
¶6. VISITS: 
 
-- Vice Premier Wang Qishan will visit Brussels next week to 
participate in the China-EU High Level Economic dialogue to promote 
business opportunities "amidst crisis," and to discuss major issues 
in trade and economic cooperation.  Chinese participants will 
include representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of 
Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and 
Reform Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of 
Industry, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of 
Agriculture, Ministry of Health, General Administration of Customs, 
National Copyright Administration, the Intellectual Property Rights 
Bureau, Ministry of Energy, the General Administration on Aviation 
and the Food and Drug Administration. 
 
 
BEIJING 00001170  002 OF 002 
 
 
-- Vice Premier Wang Qishan will follow his visit to Brussels with a 
visit to London May 8-12 to hold the seventh UK-China Financial 
Dialogue, with the goal to increase cooperation on sustainable 
growth and to promote trade and investment.  Chinese participants 
will include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs, the People's Bank of China and the Ministry of 
Energy. 
PICCUTA