JANUARY 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CHINA'S SUPPORT FOR

UNCLAS BEIJING 001665

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CH IR XA
SUBJECT: JANUARY 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: CHINA'S SUPPORT FOR
RUSSIAN PROPOSAL ON IRAN, CHINA'S ECONOMY 4TH LARGEST,
CHINA-AFRICA RELATIONS


Summary
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1. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing stated China's
concern over current developments in the Iran nuclear
crisis to visiting Iranian National Supervisory
Council Security Advisor Ali Larijani, MFA
Spokesperson Kong Quan said at the regular January 26
MFA Press Briefing. China considers Russia's proposal
to provide enriched uranium useful and helpful as a
way to resume talks, but has not been asked to
participate in the program. Beijing opposes the use
or threat of UNSC economic sanctions. Although new
statistics rank China as the world's fourth-largest
economy, developmental challenges remain and per
capita GDP is low. China and Africa will enhance
their relations by high-level visits and exchanges.
End Summary.

China Supports Russia's Iran Proposal, Opposes
Sanctions
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2. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told Larijani China's
concern over current developments in the Iran nuclear
crisis and hope that all sides will take concrete
steps to resolve the impasse, said Kong. All parties'
interests are best secured by negotiations. China
hopes the parties show patience before the IAEA
meeting in February and create favorable conditions
for resumption of the talks.


3. Russia's proposal to provide enriched uranium to
Iran is a helpful and useful attempt to break the
deadlock and lead to a resumption of negotiations,
Kong said. China has not been asked to participate in
the Russian proposal but is open to constructive
proposals to break the present stalemate. China
supports Russia's proposal and believes that all
parties would be wise to restart talks.


4. China's position on UNSC economic sanctions is
also clear, Kong said: China opposes the use or threat
of sanctions as counterproductive and they would only
complicate the issue.


5. China opposes any nuclear proliferation and abides
by all nuclear protocols and treaties it has signed,
Kong stated. All signatories to the NPT have
commitments and rights to peaceful nuclear energy.
Member countries need to strictly abide by treaty
obligations.

China the 4th Largest World Economy?
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6. Regarding reports that new economic figures place
China as the world's fourth-largest economy, Kong said
that China's people and leaders are proud of their
progress since the start of economic reforms.
Nevertheless, China faces significant economic
challenges and its per capita income is about 100th in
the world. The Chinese Government and people will
make every effort to further develop the country.

China's Africa Policy Developments
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7. Regarding China's Africa policy, Kong said that
China-Africa relations have been well established for
many years. China is making preparations to host the
third annual China-Africa conference in Beijing with
the goal of making this year's event the first summit-
level conference. China's broadening relations with
Africa feature high-level visits, exchanges, economic
cooperation and similar views on international and
regional issues.


8. Kong announced that there will be no MFA press
conferences next week because of the Spring Festival
holiday.
Sedney