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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- - ¶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? -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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