Cablegate: December 22, 2009 Mfa Press Briefing: Climate Change

VZCZCXRO2574
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3422/01 3560942
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 220942Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7335
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3657
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 3878
RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 1000
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0159
RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 1095

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003422

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM MNUC KNNP SENV CH EUN JA NP CB

SUBJECT: DECEMBER 22, 2009 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CLIMATE CHANGE
FALLOUT, UK CITIZEN SENTENCED TO DEATH, UIGHUR CONCERNS, NEPALESE PM
TO VISIT CHINA

1. Key points at the December 22 MFA press briefing were:

-- China took positive measures in Copenhagen during the Climate
Change Conference.

-- UK citizen Akmal Shaikh was sentenced to death for drug smuggling
despite claims that he suffers from mental disorders.

-- No deal was made with Cambodia to return Uighurs to China.

-- Nepalese PM Madhav Kumar Nepal will visit China from December 26
- 31.

Climate Change Conference Results
---------------------------------

2. At the December 22 regularly scheduled Foreign Ministry press
briefing, Spokesperson Jiang Yu denied accusations that China
"hijacked" the climate conference, insisting that China made strong
efforts at COP-15. China's attitude and effectiveness are "on par"
with every other country, she said. No deals were made with any
countries to achieve a particular outcome, she emphasized, adding
that because developed countries did not honor their commitments,
they are in no position to criticize developing countries.
Responding to a statement that China could make a greater effort on
climate change, Jiang stated that the COP-15 conference was a new
beginning to press ahead on commitments.

Death Sentence for UK Citizen
-----------------------------

3. Regarding UK citizen Akmal Shaikh, who was sentenced to death for
drug smuggling despite claims that he suffers from mental disorders,
Jiang said judicial authorities handled the situation in accordance
with the law. Drug smuggling is a serious crime in China, and Mr.
Shaikh's rights were respected and consular visits were arranged,
she insisted. Asked if an execution order has been formally issued
and if diplomats may attend any proceedings, Jiang said these
questions should be referred to the proper public security
authorities.

Cambodia's Handing Uighurs Over to China Not Influenced by Aid
---------------------------- ---------------------------------

4. Accusations that Cambodia handed 20 Uighur "criminals" to China
to preserve PRC aid are groundless, said Jiang. These "criminals"
are in violation of both PRC and Cambodian border entry/exit laws,
she said. This is an internal legal issue of China, and no one
should be pointing fingers because the law will be followed, said
Jiang. She reiterated that no strings were attached to aid.
Regarding questions as to the Uighurs' whereabouts, Jiang said that
the question would be better directed to public security
authorities.

Hu Jintao Visit to Japan a Positive Step
----------------------------------------

5. With Japan's new government in power, Vice President Xi Jinping
has made a successful visit to Japan, meeting with people "from all
walks of life" and working towards long-term stability to serve the
two countries' common interests, said Jiang.

China Respects Romania's Path Forward as a Sovereign Country
------------------------- ----------------------------------

6. Asked for a comment on the twentieth anniversary of Romania's
liberation from communism, Jiang mentioned that China respects the
social system and path of development determined by countries for
their own benefit. The relationship between Romania and China
remains strong because both countries respect each others'
sovereignty.

Nepalese PM to Visit China
--------------------------

7. Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will make his first
official visit to China from December 26 - 31. Specifics of the
visit are yet to be determined. Asked if China will treat this new
government differently than the previous Maoist government, Jiang
replied that China always supported the Nepalese government and its
path to development. "Its internal issues are just that, internal
issues," she said. China hopes for the sake of peace Nepal can
achieve national reconciliation.

BEIJING 00003422 002 OF 002

GOLDBERG

© Scoop Media