VZCZCXRO6869
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3163 3281031
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O 241031Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6928
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 4976

UNCLAS BEIJING 003163 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ECON SENV PHSA CH IN KN RP
 
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 24, 2009 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: LIANG GUANGLIE'S DPRK 
VISIT, INDIA'S MISSILE TEST, DE XIN HAI RESCUE EFFORTS 
 
¶1. Key points at the November 24 MFA press briefing: 
 
-- The PRC views Liang Guanglie's visit to the DPRK as a "normal 
exchange" between the two militaries. 
 
-- The PRC supports U.S.-DPRK dialogue in advance of U.S. Ambassador 
Bosworth's trip to the DPRK. 
 
-- The PRC states that India's ballistic missile test is a matter of 
"internal affairs." 
 
Liang Guanglie's DPRK Visit 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang noted at the November 
24 regularly scheduled press briefing that PRC State Councilor and 
Defense Minister Liang Guanglie visited North Korea November 22-26. 
The visit, Qin said, was a "normal exchange" between the militaries 
of the PRC and DPRK.  He added that the PRC "promoted and 
safeguarded" the continuation of exchanges between the two 
militaries. 
 
Six-Party Talks Opportunity 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3. Qin expressed PRC support for a "U.S.-DPRK dialogue" in advance 
of Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth's 
planned trip to the DPRK on December 8.  When asked about the PRC's 
perspective on any breakthroughs in the Six-Party Talks, Qin stated 
that the PRC viewed the Six-Party Talks as facing an important 
opportunity that would require joint efforts on all sides.  He noted 
that the PRC supported peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. 
 
 
India's Ballistic Missile Test 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. Turning to India's nuclear-capable intermediate-range Agni-II 
ballistic missile test on November 24, Qin stated that the PRC did 
not have a position on India's actions since they pertained to 
India's internal affairs.  Qin added that China hoped India would 
contribute to regional peace and stability. 
 
"De Xin Hai" Hijacking 
---------------------- 
 
¶5. When asked about details of the status of the Chinese merchant 
ship hijacked off the Horn of Africa, "De Xin Hai," Qin said that 
negotiation efforts to rescue the vessel and its 25 crew members 
were ongoing.  He could offer no further comment. 
 
Tourist Attack in Philippines 
----------------------------- 
 
¶6. China was shocked by and condemned the attack carried out by 
Chinese national Zhongren Li in Saipan that left four dead and many 
others wounded.  The PRC viewed this incident as a terrorist attack 
and offered condolences to the bereaved families. 
 
China's Stake in Kashmir 
------------------------ 
 
¶7. When asked to comment on statements made by Kashmiri nationalist 
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chair of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, 
regarding China's stake in the Kashmir peace process, spokesman Qin 
stated that Kashmir was an issue between India and Pakistan left 
over by history.  The PRC hoped both sides could properly resolve 
the issue through dialogue and negotiations as promptly as possible, 
he added. 
 
12th China-EU Summit 
-------------------- 
 
¶8. Qin announced that the 12th China-EU Summit would be held in 
Nanjing on November 30. 
 
HUNTSMAN