OCTOBER 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PIRATES, FLU, BAGHDAD

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002997 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PARM SOCI CH PK NK UK IR IZ CA SUBJECT: OCTOBER 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PIRATES, FLU, BAGHDAD BOMBING, PAKISTAN ATTACK ¶1. Key points at the October 29 MFA press briefing: -- Efforts aimed at the rescue of the crew of the Chinese cargo ship the De Xin Hai were "underway." -- The Chinese Government would step up efforts and adjust its methods in order to deal with the spread of the flu this season. -- The terrorist attack near the Chinese Embassy in Baghdad seriously damaged the Embassy building and resulted in the injury of two Chinese citizens working nearby. Somalia Pirate Issue -------------- ¶2. Efforts aimed at the rescue of the crew of the Chinese cargo ship the De Xin Hai were "underway," said spokesman Ma Zhaoxu at the October 29 regularly scheduled MFA press conference. The spokesperson refused to confirm reports that China was working with the Somali Government to negotiate with the pirates. The spokesperson was aware of Somali Government statements that it would eliminate pirates from its shores within two years. Asked about potential Chinese assistance to this effort, Ma stated that China had "friendly normal relations" with Somalia. Flu Containment -------------- ¶3. The Chinese Government would step up efforts and adjust its methods in order to deal with the spread of the flu this season, said Ma. "Major adjustments" would be made to border control mechanisms to make them more flexible and scientific. The spokesperson referred reporters to a press conference at the Ministry of HEALTH for more information. Baghdad Bombing -------------- ¶4. China was "shocked" by the terrorist attack near its embassy in Baghdad and was resolutely opposed to terrorism, said Ma. China hoped that Iraq would be able to deal with the issue to ensure the safety and development of its people. The attack seriously damaged the Chinese Embassy and resulted in the injury of two Chinese citizens working nearby. The MFA had directed the Embassy and Chinese citizens in Iraq to step up safety precautions and had expressed its best wishes to the victims. Peshawar Terrorist Attack -------------- ¶5. China wished to express its shock at the terrorist attack in Peshawar, Pakistan and condolences to the victims and their families, said Ma. China opposed terrorism and, as a friendly neighbor and all weather friend, would work with Pakistan to help protect peace and stability. Hu Jintao North Korea Meeting -------------- ¶6. Chinese President Hu Jintao's meeting with North Korean Worker's Party Central Committee Secretary Choe Thae-Bok was a meeting between the two political parties, said Ma. The spokesperson referred reporters to the International Liaison Department of the CCP Central Committee for more information. British Citizen -------------- ¶7. The case of British citizen Akmal Shaikh, sentenced to death for smuggling four kilograms of heroin in the Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region in 2007, was a judicial issue and was being handled according to Chinese law "free from outside interference," the spokesman maintained. The case was still being investigated and reporters should wait for the results, said Ma. Asked whether this meant that that Akmal Shaikh's appeal was still outstanding, Ma said that "only the Ministry of Justice could answer this question." Taiwan Arms Sales -------------- ¶8. China's position regarding arms sales to Taiwan was clear and consistent, said Ma. China was resolutely against the U.S. or any other country selling weapons to Taiwan. Child Adoption Policy and Family Planning -------------- ¶9. Foreigners who adopted Chinese children were required to follow all regulations in the adoption process. The PRC government, claimed BEIJING 00002997 002 OF 002 Ma, had always implemented these regulations and would continue to do so. Asked whether the ONE Child Policy encouraged the trafficking of children, Ma responded that the policy "should not be accused." Family planning was beneficial to the development and wellbeing of the Chinese people. Prime Minister of Canada Visit to China -------------- ¶10. The PRC government welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to China in early December and indicated that further information will be released in due course. HUNTSMAN