MAY 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: FLU, QUARANTINES, VISA POLICY,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001199

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TAGS: PREL PGOV AMED MCAP CH MX CE CA AS KU JP

SUBJECT: MAY 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: FLU, QUARANTINES, VISA POLICY,
MILITARY DEVELOPMENT


1. Key points at the May 5 MFA press briefing:

-- China has taken "urgent and temporary" measures to "protect the
safety of the animal husbandry industry and the people" from the
threat of H1N1 Influenza.

-- The spokesperson had no information about reports that four
American citizens have been quarantined or on total numbers of
foreigners who have been quarantined, but said that "local
governments" are responsible for taking measures to combat the
spread of the virus.

-- Recent adjustments in China's visa policy were made "in
accordance with domestic law."

-- China's military policy is "defensive" in nature and China is a
"positive force for world peace."

H1N1 Influenza
--------------


2. China has taken "urgent and temporary" measures to "protect the
safety of the animal husbandry industry and the people" from the
threat of H1N1 influenza, said spokesman Ma Zhaoxu at the May 5
regularly scheduled MFA press conference. China's ban on pork
products from parts of the United States and Mexico "is consistent
with international practice," guidelines set out by the World
Organization for Animal Health, and World Trade Organization rules
regarding minimizing impact on trade, said Ma. Ma noted that the
World Health Organization (WHO) described the flu "from the
beginning" as "swine flu" and that the virus was related to a "swine
virus." Ma also said that the WHO has written that the virus was a
"public health event of international concern." The "source and
methods of the flu are unclear," said Ma, so China must take these
measures.

Quarantine of Foreigners and those Entering China
-------------- --------------


3. On May 2, 22 Canadian citizens were quarantined in Changchun,
Jilin Province by provincial authorities acting in accordance with
relevant laws, said Ma. The Canadians are being monitored in their
hotel for seven days but their body temperatures and emotional
well-being are currently "stable," said Ma. The local Foreign
Affairs Office has informed the Canadian Embassy of the situation
and has made accommodations for lodging and food for the Canadians.
Ma claimed that the Canadians "approved" the measures. Ma had no
information about reports that four American citizens have been
quarantined or on total numbers of foreigners who have been
quarantined, but said that "local governments" were responsible for
taking measures to combat the spread of the virus and that
information was being collected and would be released at a later
time.


4. A chartered China Southern Airlines plane is due to arrive in
Mexico on May 6 to pick up Chinese citizens there, said Ma. A
chartered flight from Mexico has arrived in Shanghai and will
continue on to Guangzhou and Hong Kong before returning to Mexico.
Asked whether Chinese citizens would be subject to quarantine on
their return to China, Ma referred the question to the airline
authorities. China and Mexico have been in "close communication" on
this issue and attach great importance to the bilateral "strategic
partnership."

Visa Policy Adjustments
--------------


5. When asked about increased wait times for Chinese visas processed
by the Chinese mission in the United States, Ma said recent
adjustments in China's visa policy were made "in accordance with
domestic law." The policy is "not discriminatory" and will not
affect normal exchanges with other countries, said Ma.

Chinese Military Development
--------------


6. China "follows a path of peaceful development," said Ma when
asked for China's reaction to a recent Australian defense white
paper that discussed China. China's military policy is "defensive"
in nature and China is a "positive force for world peace." China's
development "does not pose a threat" to other countries and relevant
countries should be "unbiased."

Sri Lanka Humanitarian Situation
--------------


7. China will offer 1 million RMB in "urgent humanitarian

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assistance" for displaced civilians in northern Sri Lanka, said Ma.
Attaining social stability and national reconciliation is in the
fundamental interest of the Sri Lankan People and the world. China
hopes that Sri Lanka will realize peace stability and economic
development, said Ma.

Visits
--------------


8. Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will visit
China from May 10-13. During his stay, he will meet with Chinese
President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to discuss
bilateral and international issues. China and Kuwait have
"complementary" energy cooperation and the two sides have been
discussing ways to "strengthen cooperation." Canadian Foreign
Minister Lawrence Cannon will visit China from May 9-13.

New Department at Chinese MFA
--------------


9. The newly created MFA Department for Border and Ocean Affairs is
charged with "developing diplomatic policies related to the oceans
and border affairs," said Ma. This will include managing border
demarcation and "cases involving oceans." The function of the
department is not new, said Ma. Asked whether the department would
be involved in discussions with Japan over disputed territories, Ma
said that one could "infer this department's function" based on his
previous description.

PICCUTA