FEBRUARY 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: UK FOREIGN SECRETARY'S

1. Key points at the February 28, 2008 MFA Press Briefing were:

-- Sinopec's role in the Yadavaran oil field in Iran is "a business
act."

-- Although "there are some problems" in moving the Six-Party Talks
forward, all parties are optimistic and have expressed a willingness
to honor their commitments.

-- The United States and China should conduct a human rights
dialogue with "mutual respect and equality" and Congress should view
the objective and beneficial developments of human rights in China.

-- Special Envoy Liu Guijin's visit to Darfur demonstrates China's
willingness to strengthen communication and coordination with
relevant countries in order to restore peace and improve the
humanitarian situation in Sudan.

-- China does not believe the Japanese dumpling issue will impact
President Hu's upcoming visit to Japan.

UK Foreign Secretary Miliband's Visit


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2. During the February 28 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson
Liu Jianchao began by commenting on UK Foreign Secretary Miliband's
visit to Beijing. According to Liu, the UK and China agreed carry
out strategic, economic and financial dialogues, to hold a second
round of consultations on Africa and to continue their human rights
dialogue. Liu said Foreign Secretary Miliband called for
intensified UK-China cooperation on regional and international
issues, such as UN peacekeeping, nonproliferation and EU-China
cooperation, and to discuss the challenges and opportunities of
globalization. Liu said Miliband reiterated the UK's one China
policy.

Sinopec in Yadavaran and UN Sanctions Proposal


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3. When asked if China is concerned about repercussions from the
United States concerning Sinopec's role in the Yadavaran oil field
in Iran, Liu said China considers Sinopec's venture "a business
act." China attaches great importance to the Iran nuclear issue and
believes dialogue and negotiations are "conducive to peaceful
resolution of the issue." China has taken an active role in
consultations, he said. The UN Security Council is currently
discussing the matter and China hopes Iran will address the concerns
of the international community.

Six-Party Talks


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4. Liu stated that Secretary Rice discussed the North Korean nuclear
issue with President Hu and Premier Wen, and that Assistant
Secretary Hill and his Chinese counterparts also discussed the

SIPDIS
matter. China and the other parties have made efforts to implement
their commitments even though "there are some problems," Liu said.
All parties are optimistic and have expressed a willingness to honor
their commitments, said Liu.

U.S. Congressional Hearing on Human Rights


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5. When asked China's views on a U.S. Congressional hearing on
China's human rights record in the lead up to the Olympics, Liu said
China's Constitution includes a commitment to protect the human
rights of the Chinese people. Liu stated that he hoped the United
States and China could conduct a human rights dialogue with "mutual
respect and equality" and that Congress could "take off its colored
glasses" and view the objective and beneficial developments of human
rights in China.

U.S.-China Cooperation on U.S. MIAs


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6. Responding to a question on United States-China cooperation on
U.S. missing-in-action combatants from the Korean War, Liu said that
the United States and China have enjoyed "sound cooperation" for
many years. Following Vice Chairman Guo Boxiang's visit to the
United States in July 2006 and Secretary of Defense Gate's trip to
China in November 2007, both countries reached a consensus on joint
cooperation. Both sides are discussing the specifics for
implementing this consensus, according to Liu.

Special Envoy Liu Guijin's Visit to Darfur


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7. Responding to a request for a briefing on Special Envoy Liu
Guijin's visit to Sudan, Spokesman Liu characterized the visit as an

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expression of China's willingness to strengthen communication,
coordination and exchanges with relevant countries in order to
restore peace, conduct reconstruction and improve the humanitarian
situation in Sudan. Spokesman Liu noted that the Special Envoy met
with relevant officials in Khartoum and in Darfur, as well as with
the Chinese contingent of military engineers stationed in Sudan.
Even though "achievements were made in this visit," the resolution
of Sudan's "complicated" situation cannot rest on China, but instead
the international community should encourage all relevant groups to
implement agreements.

China-Japan Dumpling Issue Should Not Effect Hu Visit


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8. When asked if the recent poisoned dumpling incident would impact
President Hu's planned visit to Japan in April, Liu said China
places a high priority on this investigation but considers it an
isolated case. China hopes both countries can handle this matter
properly by not letting it impact China-Japan relations.

China's Policy towards Sao Tome and Principe


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9. In response to a question on the possibility of China
re-establishing diplomatic ties with Sao Tome and Principe in light
of a new government there, Liu said China's consistent policy is
non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. If
countries adopt the "correct one China policy" then China would
respond positively.

Panchen Lama's Role is as a Religious Leader


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10. In response to a question, Liu said that while he had no
information that the Panchen Lama was recently chosen for a
political position, the Panchen Lama was chosen and appointed as
Tibetan Buddhism's second highest religious leader according to
religious rituals. According to Liu, the Panchen Lama enjoys a
"high reputation" and the Chinese Government "believes he could
provide a better role in promoting religious undertaking in Tibet."

Nigerian President's Visit


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11. Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua started his state visit today
and in the afternoon will meet President Hu, Liu reported.