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UNCLAS BEIJING 000026 
 
 
SIPDIS 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EWWT CH TW IS
 
SUBJECT: January 6 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: MIDDLE EAST, SOMALI PIRACY, 
FINANCIAL CRISIS 
 
¶1. Key points at the January 6 MFA press briefing: 
 
-- China has told "relevant parties" to "stop military action" in 
the Middle East. 
 
-- Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao fishing vessels can apply for 
protection from the Chinese naval flotilla in the sea off Somalia 
through appropriate channels. 
 
-- The Chinese Government takes the financial crisis "seriously" and 
has taken measures to "help affected companies and laid-off workers" 
as well as ensure "stable and relatively rapid" economic growth. 
 
-- The Deputy Secretary's visit demonstrates that "the United States 
attaches great importance" to the celebration of the 30th 
anniversary of U.S.-China diplomatic relations. 
 
Violence in the Middle East 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2. China has told "relevant parties" to "stop military action" in 
the Middle East and has provided humanitarian assistance to the 
Palestinian people, said Qin. Only by ceasing armed conflict and 
easing the humanitarian crisis can talks resume, said Qin.  Although 
asked directly whether China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun 
Bigan plans to travel to the region to help negotiate a peace, Qin 
would only confirm that Sun has been meeting with foreign diplomats 
in China to express China's position on the issue. 
 
Somali Piracy Protection 
------------------------ 
 
¶3. Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao fishing vessels can apply for 
protection from the Chinese naval detachment operating in the sea 
off Somalia through appropriate channels, said Qin.  Residents of 
these regions are all Chinese and the Chinese Government will 
protect the safety of Chinese people abroad, he added. 
 
Financial Crisis 
---------------- 
 
¶4. China is taking "active and effective measures" to counter the 
financial crisis and "increase domestic demand," said the spokesman. 
 The Chinese Government takes the crisis "seriously" and has taken 
measures to "help affected companies and laid-off workers" as well 
as to ensure "stable and relatively rapid" economic growth. 
 
Cancellation of Secretary of State Visit to China 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶5. The United States has "explained the reasons" for the 
cancellation of Secretary Rice's trip to China, said Qin.  The 
Deputy Secretary's visit demonstrates that "the United States 
attaches great importance" to the celebration of the 30th 
anniversary of U.S.-China diplomatic relations.  The spokesperson 
did not have specific information about the Deputy Secretary's 
meetings but said that the "Chinese side looks forward to" Deputy 
Secretary Negroponte's visit. 
 
Xinjiang Arrests 
---------------- 
 
¶6. Asked about reports that an unusually large number of arrests 
were made in 2008 in Xinjiang for crimes involving state security, 
Qin said that the issue is "not relevant to the MFA." 
 
RANDT