Cablegate: September 11 Mfa Press Briefing: Nuclear Experts

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 005946

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER KOLY SENV KS KN PK RS SR JA CH FR
SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: NUCLEAR EXPERTS
IN DPRK, OLYMPIC SECURITY, SIX-PARTY TALKS, CYBER ATTACKS,
MISSING RUSSIAN TOURISTS, NAWAZ SHARIF DEPORTATION, DALAI
LAMA

BEIJING 00005946 001.2 OF 002

1. Key points at the September 11 MFA Press Briefing were:

-- Teams of Chinese and Russian nuclear experts have arrived
in Pyongyang to discuss specifics of the disablement of DPRK
nuclear facilities.

-- No date has been set for the upcoming Six-Party Talks.

-- The PRC is working with the international community to
prevent terrorist attacks during the Olympics and opposes
linking terrorism to any specific country or religion.

-- Chinese citizens are frequent victims of cyber-attacks and
China stands ready to work with other countries to combat
cyber-crime, but to date has not received any such requests.

-- China will work closely with Russian experts to search for
six missing Russian tourists in Xinjiang.

-- Visits: Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic will visit
China September 12-14.

DPRK: Nuclear Experts Arrive, PRC Ambassador Leaves
--------------------------------------------- ------

2. At the September 11 regular MFA press briefing,
spokeswoman Jiang Yu confirmed that Russian and Chinese teams
of nuclear experts arrived in the DPRK on September 11 to
discuss the specifics of the disablement of nuclear
facilities. She said in response to an inquiry regarding the
return to China of PRC Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Xiaoming
that the return was a "normal" one for annual leave, but
added that she would check on the details.

No Date Set for Six-Party Talks
-------------------------------

3. When asked for details about the upcoming Six-Party Talks,
Jiang replied that, while China is working with other
countries to prepare for the event, no date has been set at
this time.

Olympic Security
----------------

4. In response to a request for information on any specific
group that the Chinese government fears as a terrorist threat
to the Olympics, Jiang stated that the Chinese government is
sparing no effort for Olympic security and has the resolve
and capability to hold a successful Olympics. When further
pressed for information regarding specific instances of
international cooperation regarding Olympic security, Jiang
redirected the reporter to the "relevant authorities," but
stressed that China is working with the international
community and does not link terrorism to any specific nation
or religion.

China a Victim of Cyber Attacks, Stands Ready to Help
--------------------------------------------- --------

5. Asked for comments on a French report detailing
cyber-attacks by and on Chinese citizens, Jiang said that
Chinese were frequently the victims of cyber-attacks, China
has strict laws against "hacking" and the Chinese government
stands ready to work with other countries to combat
cyber-crime. She added that she had checked with "relevant
authorities" the week before and they did not report
receiving any requests from other countries to cooperate in
investigations. China wants to strengthen channels for
cooperation in this regard, Jiang said.

Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Visit
-----------------------------------------

6. Responding to a request for comment on the Dalai Lama's
planned trip to the United States to receive the
Congressional Gold Medal, Jiang emphasized that Tibet is a
part of the Chinese territory. She said that the Dalai Lama
is not merely a religious figure, but a political force
involved in efforts to split the motherland. China hopes
that other countries recognize these "splittist" activities.

Pakistani Deportation of Sharif is Internal Affair
--------------------------------------------- -----

7. Asked about the Chinese assessment of Pakistan's recent
deportation of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Jiang

BEIJING 00005946 002.2 OF 002

responded that such matters are the internal affairs of
Pakistan and that Pakistanis themselves will best maintain
the stability and development of their nation.

China Working with Russia on Missing Tourists
---------------------------------------------

8. Jiang stated that the Chinese government is extremely
concerned about the fate of six Russian tourists missing in
the northwest province of Xinjiang for eight days. China has
mobilized search and rescue activities and all efforts are
being made to find them. Jiang added that China would be
cooperating with a team of Russian search experts that
arrived in China on September 11, but ignored a reporter's
suggestion that the tourists could have been kidnapped.

PRC Censoring Meteorologists?
-----------------------------

9. Jiang refused to comment on reports that the Chinese
government is actively restricting or censoring the reports
and information of meteorologists in an effort to cover up
poor air quality. Jiang instead referred journalists to the
Meteorological Bureau.

Upcoming Visit of Serbian Foreign Minister
------------------------------------------

10. Jiang announced that Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic
will visit China September 12-14 at the invitation of FM Yang
Jiechi.
Randt

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