VZCZCXRO8970
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3380 3511112
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 171112Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7271
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1440
RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 0998

UNCLAS BEIJING 003380 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM SENV ETRD CH KS KN CB
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 17, 2009 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: COPENHAGEN TALKS, XI 
JINPING IN SOUTH KOREA, UIGHURS IN CAMBODIA 
 
¶1. Key points at the December 17 MFA press briefing were: 
 
-- China supports cooperative efforts to reach a "fair, reasonable, 
balanced, and achievable" result at the UN Climate Change Conference 
in Copenhagen. 
 
-- During a visit to South Korea, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping 
met with President Lee Myung-bak to discuss building "strategic 
partnership cooperation." 
 
-- The 22 Uighurs seeking asylum in Cambodia are "involved in 
crimes" and are being investigated by Chinese authorities. 
 
End Summary 
 
China's Role in the Copenhagen Conference 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  At the December 17 regularly scheduled Foreign Ministry press 
briefing, Spokesperson Jiang Yu said that China would play a 
constructive role and enhance cooperative efforts to reach a "fair, 
reasonable, balanced, and achievable" result at the UN Climate 
Change Conference in Copenhagen.  China had always maintained a 
positive and constructive approach to the Copenhagen Conference 
negotiations, Jiang claimed. 
 
¶3.  Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao would attend multiple bilateral 
meetings in Copenhagen December 17 before giving a keynote speech to 
the conference on December 18.  Although information on Wen's 
scheduled meetings had not been released, Jiang noted that Wen's 
speech would state China's position on combating climate change and 
enhancing cooperation.  Jiang also asserted that Denmark, as the 
host of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, should make 
"unremitting efforts" towards positive results. 
 
Xi Jinping in South Korea 
------------------------- 
 
¶4.  Jiang announced that during his visit to Seoul, Chinese Vice 
President Xi Jinping met with President Lee Myung-bak December 17 to 
discuss "strategic partnership cooperation" between China and South 
Korea.  Jiang said Xi told Lee that China supported safeguarding the 
peace and stability of the Korean peninsula, as well as 
reconciliation between the two Koreas.  Xi encouraged South Korea to 
seize current opportunities to make joint efforts to create 
conditions favorable to resuming the Six-Party Talks. 
 
¶5.  During a luncheon hosted by South Korea's business community, Xi 
outlined a proposal to promote PRC-ROK trade.  The details of the 
proposal, Jiang stated, would be available in future press 
statements. 
 
 
Uighur Asylum Seekers 
--------------------- 
 
¶6.  The 22 Uighurs seeking asylum in Cambodia were "involved in 
crimes" and were being investigated by Chinese authorities, said 
Jiang, adding that international refugee protection systems should 
not be a means for criminals to evade lawful punishment. 
 
 
Xi Jinping to Cambodia 
---------------------- 
 
¶7.  Chinese Vice President Xi would meet with Cambodian Prime 
Minister Hun Sen and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni during a trip 
to Cambodia December 20-22.  Jiang emphasized that China hoped Xi's 
visit would help foster good relations, active cooperation, and 
friendship with Cambodia. 
 
GOLDBERG