Chinese Foreign Policy: A Chronology April - June 2009 - Defence ...

Province from stockpiling facilities in the outskirts of Dandong, a city located along the PRC-DPRK border, via a pipeline. Crude oil supplies from the PRC are a lifeline that sways theDPRK's energy situation. In October 2006, when the DPRK conducted its first nuclear test,the PRC reportedly temporarily suspended oil shipments on the pretext of "maintenance andinspection of the pipeline." According to a source concerned with PRC-DPRK affairs andother sources, this time the PRC reduced the amount of crude oil supplies to the DPRK after25 May, when the DPRK conducted its last nuclear test.Beijing - Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang issued a statement on the adoption ofresolution No 1874 by the UN Security Council. Qin notes the “unanimous” adoption of theresolution and that the:“Chinese government expresses its firm opposition to again conducting a nuclear testby the DPRK. The move by the DPRK violates the relevant resolutions of the UNSecurity Council, harms the validity of the international nuclear non-proliferationsystem, and affects peace and stability in the northeast Asia region.”Qin also repeated Zhang Yesui’s earlier claim that the DPRK deserves respect for itsterritorial sovereignty and integrity; and that once it has rejoined the NPT, it should beallowed to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Qin finally reiterated that China desiresa nuclear-free Korean peninsula.China Central Television's international channel, CCTV-4, in its daily 30-minute programme"Today's Focus" carried a discussion on Korean and Iranian nuclear issues. Studio guestswere Hua Liming, researcher with the China Institute of International Studies and YanXuetong, director of the Institute of International Studies at Qinghua University. Theprogramme began with a news report on UNSC Resolution 1874 "condemning in thestrongest terms" the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 25 May and announced newsanctions against the DPRK. Hua noted that the new sanctions are "much more severe" thanprevious resolutions and that it "sends a stronger signal to the DPRK that the entireinternational community opposes DPRK nuclear tests and weapons." Yan highlighted theprovision of inspecting DPRK ships for nuclear-related items and said the Resolution "mighttrigger stronger confrontations" as US military vessels will be allowed to intercept DPRKships. Both consider the resolution’s wording of merely ‘calling upon’ nations to preventweapon-related funding and non-humanitarian loans to the DPRK, makes it non-binding. Ifthe DPRK were to return to the 6-Party talks, inspections could be suspended. Yan felt thatthe DPRK’s response to the resolution – the DPRK's vow to weaponize plutonium - is toshow its ability to make more nuclear weapons. Yan felt that future military conflicts betweenthe ROK and the DPRK at sea were likely. Yan claimed that the DPRK had had hopes of abilateral ties with the US after Obama’s inauguration, but had been disappointed becausethey: “found Obama only talks and does not act.” The DPRK’s subsequent actions camebecause they had failed “to obtain security guarantee through diplomatic means." Both Yanand Hua think that economic aid will not make the DPRK give up nuclear weapons. Hua says"the fundamental issue is that the United States and the DPRK are in a state of war."Hua justified President Ahmadinejad's successful re-election to his support for nuclearprogrammes and his anti-US stance. Comparing Iran with the DPRK, Yan thinks that Irandoes not have the ability to make nuclear weapons but desires them to gain regional powerstatus. Commenting on the United States' Iranian policy, Hua said that President Obamarecognized the Iranian issue as the key to resolving other regional issues. Knowing that Iranwill not give up its nuclear programme, "Obama's bottom-line might be to recognize Iran'sright to the peaceful use of nuclear energy," Hua said.14 June 2009 Cairo - He Guoqiang, China's anti-graft chief, met Egyptian President HosniMubarak, pledging to seek stronger bilateral ties. He hailed Mubarak as "a respected old andgood friend" of the Chinese people for his great contribution to the development of bilateral106