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O 142309Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3984
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0604
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4562
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0483
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6927
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001299 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH FR AS KN PK BR CA MX
 
SUBJECT: MAY 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: H1N1, DEFENSE POLICY, 
ESPIONAGE CASE, LULA VISIT 
 
¶1. Key points at the May 14 MFA press briefing: 
 
-- China continues to work to monitor and contain H1N1 
influenza, dismissing as "irresponsible" allegations that the 
United States and Canada have not taken sufficient measures to 
contain the virus's spread. 
 
-- Regarding press reports of a USG official charged with 
passing classified information to an agent of China, China 
urges the United States to discard its "Cold War mentality" 
and stop making baseless attacks on China, and to focus 
instead on building trust and friendship between the two 
countries. 
 
-- In response to Pakistan's request for international aid, 
China plans to provide USD 1 million in emergency assistance 
to help Pakistan care for 500,000 citizens displaced by 
fighting between government and Taliban forces. 
 
H1N1 Influenza 
-------------- 
 
¶2. China continues to work with all relevant parties to 
monitor and contain the spread of H1N1 influenza, MFA 
Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu said at the May 14 regular MFA press 
briefing.  The spokesperson dismissed as "irresponsible" 
allegations that the United States and Canada have not taken 
sufficient measures, particularly with regard to entry/exit 
procedures, to contain the virus's spread.  The spokesperson 
added that China looks forward to continuing close cooperation 
with affected countries, including the United States and 
Canada, to combat the spread of H1N1 influenza. 
 
Australian Defense White Paper 
------------------------------ 
 
¶3. Asked about remarks by Australian officials that 
Australia's military plans ?- as described in a recent 
Australian defense white paper -- are not aimed at China, the 
spokesperson responded only that China's defense policy 
remains unchanged in that it is fundamentally defensive in 
nature, adheres to the principles of peaceful development, and 
contributes significantly to preserving regional security. 
 
Espionage Case 
-------------- 
 
¶4. Regarding press reports of a USG official charged with 
passing classified information to an agent of China, the 
spokesperson urged the United States to discard its "Cold War 
mentality" and stop making baseless attacks on China, and to 
focus instead on building trust and friendship between the two 
countries. 
 
Visit of Brazilian President 
---------------------------- 
 
¶5. The upcoming planned state visit of Brazilian President 
Lula da Silva is to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the 
establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. 
The spokesperson added that the two countries plan to use the 
visit to "expand strategic cooperation" and sign a series of 
cooperative agreements, though he declined to provide any 
specific details on the planned agreements. 
 
Aid to Pakistan 
--------------- 
 
¶6. As a token of friendship, and in response to Pakistan's 
request for international aid, China plans to provide USD 1 
million in emergency assistance to Pakistan to help care for 
500,000 citizens displaced by fighting between government and 
Taliban forces. 
 
Chinese Monetary Policy 
----------------------- 
 
¶7.  Asked to comment on U.S. calls for changes in Chinese 
monetary policy, the spokesperson responded that the 
international community -- including the United States -- 
knows that China has not benefited from currency manipulation, 
and that China discourages all forms of trade protectionism. 
 
Questions Not Answered: Chinese Film, North Korea 
 
BEIJING 00001299  002 OF 002 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶8. Asked to comment on the upcoming showing at the Cannes Film 
Festival of Chinese filmmaker Lou Ye's "Spring Fever," which 
was not authorized by the Chinese government or reviewed by 
government censors, the spokesperson responded that he is not 
familiar with the film and is not in position to comment. 
Asked to comment on China's view of the two American 
journalists to be tried in North Korea, the spokesperson noted 
that he has already answered this question multiple times in 
the past and has no further comment. 
PICCUTA