POLITICAL ISSUES

Algeria
1. China, Algeria set relationship, cooperation model Chinese official
Algiers, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
During the meeting with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Wednesday, Wang Gang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) hailed the profound traditional friendship between the two countries and the ever- increasing political mutual trust and the expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and their close coordination in international affairs. For his part, Bouteflika said he wishes the two countries to work together to further boost the all-around development of bilateral ties.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

2. Wang Gang meets with president of Algeria’s Council of the Nation
Algiers, Thursday, 8 September 2011
On Thursday Wang Gang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) met with President of Algeria’s Council of the Nation, Abdelkader Bensalah. Wang said that the CPPCC highly values its friendly exchanges with the Algeria’s Council of the Nation, which plays an irreplaceable role in promoting bilateral relations .For his part, Bensalah said he wishes the two countries to work together to further boost the all-around development of bilateral ties.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

3. CPPCC Official meets with Chinese medical aid team to Algeria
Algiers, Thursday, 8 September 2011
Wang Gang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Thursday met in Algeria with members of Chinese medical aid team to Algeria. Wang said that the Chinese medical aid team to Algeria, as the first medical aid team send to the African countries, has made remarkable contributions to promoting the traditional friendship of Chinese and Algerian peoples and encouraged the medical team members to make further efforts to serve the Algerian people and improve the local medical condition.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Israel
4. "Deep regrets," "opposition" to new housing plan in East Jerusalem
Beijing, Wednesday, 28 September 2011
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China expressed "deep regrets" and "opposition" to Israel’s approval of 1,100 new homes in East Jerusalem, urging it to resume peace negotiations with Palestine as soon as possible and encouraged Israel to act cautiously and take constructive approaches while actively coordinating with international efforts to resume negotiations.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Libya
5. Close contact with Libya’s Transitional Council
Beijing, Thursday, 1 September 2011
During a regular press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said on Thursday that China is ready to maintain close contact with the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya. Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun attended the "Friends of Libya" international conference in Paris on Thursday as an observer. China is involved in 50 cooperative projects in Libya worth US $18.8 billion which have been suspended due to the conflict there. More than 35,000 Chinese citizens, mostly employees in the engineering, infrastructure and oil sectors, were evacuated from Libya since February due to the worsening situation.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

6. "No difficulty in principle" with release of Libya’s frozen assets
Beijing, Monday, 5 September 2011
At a regular briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said China had "no difficulty in principle" with the release of Libya’s frozen assets after NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said China was obstructing the release of Libya’s frozen assets. Jiang stressed China has been in touch with both sides in Libya during the crisis and played a positive part in promoting dialogue and seeking peace.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

7. China denies arms sales to Gaddafi regime
Beijing, Monday, 5 September 2011
At a press briefing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that the Gaddafi regime did contact individuals from certain Chinese companies in July without the knowledge of the government, but the companies did not sign any arms contracts or export military materials to Libya. She further noted that the Chinese government strictly implemented the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973 and Chinese companies did not provide military materials to Libya directly or indirectly after the passage of Resolution 1970.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

8. China Recognition of Libya’s NTC requires "ripe" conditions
Beijing, Monday, 5 September 2011
At a press conference on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that China needs to see whether conditions are ripe in considering recognition of the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya. She said the current turmoil in Libya is short term, but the friendship between China and Libya is eternal, and noted that communication between China and the NTC is "smooth and running." She emphasized that China is ready to carry out trade and economic cooperation with Libya on a basis of mutual benefit and mutual respect.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

9. China recognizes NTC as ruling authority, representative of people
Beijing, Monday, 12 September 2011
In a written statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said that China on Monday officially recognized the National Transition Council (NTC) of Libya as the ruling authorities and representative of the Libyan people while stressing China’s hopes that all the treaties and agreements inked previously with Libya would remain effective and be implemented seriously.  Further, while citing a representative of the NTC leadership, Masaid that the NTC attaches great importance to China’s status and role, and would strictly abide by all the existing treaties and agreements as well as firmly adhere to the one-China policy.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

10. Welcomes early establishment of interim government
Beijing, Tuesday, 13 September 2011
At a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said that China looks forward to the establishment of an interim Libyan government at an early date and a peaceful and orderly regime transition in the war-torn country. Jiang said China was not opposed to the release of Libya’s frozen assets discussed earlier by the United Nations Security Council’s Sanctions Committee, but it maintained that the use of assets and supervision mechanism be further specified. Jiang said a UN meeting would be held later this month on the Libyan issue and if invited, the Chinese side would positively consider participation.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

11. China respects Libyan people’s choice
Beijing, Wednesday, 14 September 2011
A day after China formally recognized the Transitional Council as the ruling authority of Libya, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu has expressed China’s hope that Libya would resume stability as soon as possible and appreciated Libya’s decision to stick to the one China policy and commitment to uphold all agreements signed with Beijing before the overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

12. China to study lifting UN sanctions on Libya spokesperson
Beijing, Wednesday, 14 September 2011
At a regular press conference on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu said that China would earnestly study the issue of lifting UN sanctions on Libya imposed under UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973. He further added that the decision to lift the sanctions on Libya should also be made by the UN Security Council through consultation.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

13. China backs NTC in representing Libya at UN
Beijing, Thursday, 15 September 2011
At a daily press briefing on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said that China supports the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya representing Libya at the United Nations. Jiang’s comments came ahead of the United Nations General Assembly’s move to discuss whether the NTC can represent Libya at the United Nations later this month. China also appreciated the positive role African Union has played in resolving the Libya issue.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

14. To play active role in Libya’s post-war reconstruction
Beijing, Friday, 16 September 2011
During a daily press briefing on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that China pledged to play an active role during post-war reconstruction in Libya and believes that the relationship between China and Libya would develop smoothly with joint efforts.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

15. Early establishment of Libyan interim government
Beijing, Monday, 19 September 2011
At a daily press briefing on Monday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said that China called for an early establishment of the Libyan interim government. Hong’s comments came after Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) unveiled its plan for establishing an interim government. Staff members of the Chinese Embassy in Libya are returning to Tripoli, Hong said, adding that the Chinese ambassador to Libya would return to Libya in accordance with his work schedule.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

16. Ramification of NATO’s military operations in Libya
Beijing, Wednesday, 21 September 2011
A Chinese human rights expert on Wednesday said that he was concerned about the aftermath of NATO’s military operations in Libya and its ramification on future international intervention to solve conflict within a sovereign country. The fourth Beijing Forum on Human Rights opened in Beijing on Wednesday with the focus on human dignity as well as on the diversity of culture and values. Over 100 Chinese and foreign human rights experts attended the forum.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Oman
17. Omani Sultan meets senior CPC official on ties
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 12 September 2011
Omani Sultan and Prime Minister Qaboos Bin Said met Sunday with visiting Communist Party of China (CPC) official Zhang Gaoli in Muscat. According to Zhang Gaoli, the two countries had witnessed frequent exchanges of high-level visits, fruitful bilateral trade, and dazzling cultural exchanges especially in recent years. For his part, Qaboos said Oman attaches great importance to the friendly relationship with China, and was willing to enhance bilateral cooperation in energy, commerce, culture with the world’s second largest economy to benefit the two peoples.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Palestinian Authority
18. China supports Palestinian UN bid
Beijing, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
At a press briefing held on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said that China "respects, understands and supports" Palestine’s UN bid for statehood later this month. China recognizes Palestine as a country with east Jerusalem as its capital and possessing full sovereignty and independence, in accordance with borders agreed upon in 1967, according to Jiang.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

19. China backs Palestine’s bid for UN membership
Beijing, Tuesday, 20 September 2011
At a daily press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that China understands, respects and supports Palestine’s bid for UN membership Foreign Ministry. He said that China has always supported Palestinians’ and Arabs’ push to restore their legitimate rights and also urged the international community to enhance efforts to seek peace, promote consultations and push for the early resumption of Palestine-Israel negotiations.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Qatar
20. Reception marks anniversary in Doha, Qatar
Doha, Sunday, 25 September 2011
Chinese ambassador to Qatar Zhang Zhiliang was present in Doha, on Sunday along with Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Minister of Public Health of Qatar, at the reception marking 62nd anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Syria
21. China calls on all sides in Syria to keep "utmost restraint"
Beijing, Monday, 5 September 2011
At a press briefing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said that China urged all sides in Syria to exercise "utmost restraint" to avoid causing more casualties while emphasizing that Syrian government should fulfil its commitment to reform.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

22. China welcomes Syria’s dialogue, inclusive political process
Beijing, Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Tuesday that China welcomes Syria’s national dialogue at the provincial level that started on Monday, amid the nation’s disturbing domestic situation.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

23. Opposes putting pressure on Syria to solve internal crisis
Beijing, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
In response to a question regarding whether or not China would communicate with the Syrian opposition, on Wednesday Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that first thing to do is that the Syrian crisis should be solved through dialogue and consultations instead of simply putting pressure on the country in order to avoid escalation.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

24. China says further int’l action should help ease Syrian tension
Beijing, Thursday, 15 September 2011
Regarding measures the international community should take to resolve the Syrian crisis, on Thursday Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that further action by the international community should help ease the tension in Syria and emphasized that the key to resolving tensions in Syria lays in the country itself.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

25. Syria-led political process needed to solve crisis
Beijing, Tuesday, 20 September 2011
In response to a question on the Syrian situation, on Tuesday Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reiterated China’s stance that an inclusive political process led by Syria should be initiated to solve the ongoing crisis in the Middle East country and mentioned China’s long call to all the sides in Syria to end the violence and start an inclusive political process led by the country to resolve the crisis appropriately.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

26. China calls for restraint in Syria
United Nations, Monday, 26 September 2011
At the general debate of the 66th UN General Assembly session, on Monday Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi made the call to all parties concerned in Syria to exercise restraint to avoid violence or more bloodshed and conflict. He also urged the international community to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, and handle the Syrian issue in a prudent way so as to prevent further turbulence in Syria and its repercussions on regional peace.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

27. China Opposes Foreign Interference in Syria’s Affairs
Damascus, Friday, 30 September 2011
In an interview with SANA on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, China’s Ambassador in Syria Zhang Xun said that China opposes foreign interference in the Syrian internal affairs and believes that the Syrians have the right to self-determination. Hailing the bilateral relations between two countries, he pointed out that the bilateral cooperation is continuous in the fields of petroleum, infrastructure, energy, communication, transportation, technology and developing human resources.
Source:  Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Damascus

Turkey
28. Turkish parliament speaker meets senior CPC official on ties
Ankara, Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Zhang Gaoli, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and the CPC Tianjin Municipality Committee chief, met with Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Cemil Cicek on Monday and said that China was willing to coordinate efforts with Turkey to continuously deepen mutual political trust, broaden cooperation and enrich the strategic cooperation connotation. Zhang also held talk with Abdulkadir Aksu, first deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party at its headquarters on Monday.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Yemen
29. China urges Yemen to address disputes peacefully
Beijing, Tuesday, 20 September 2011
On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei called on all parties in Yemen to resolve disputes through peaceful means and expressed China’s hopes that Yemen would restore stability as soon as possible. His comments came after at least 57 people were killed in clashes between government forces and protesters in Yemen.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

30. China calls for peaceful resolution to Yemen crisis
Beijing, Tuesday, 27 September 2011
On Tuesday Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that China urges Yemen to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue and other peaceful means to its crisis. He further expressed China’s support to the efforts made by the UN Secretary General’s special political advisor and the Gulf Cooperation Council, hoping that the international community would provide constructive help to make Yemen restore social stability and normal order.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

ECONOMIC ISSUES
Algeria
31. China to boost inter-institutional cooperation with Algeria
Algiers, Tuesday, 6 September 2011
The head of China Economic and Social Council (CESC) said on Tuesday that his institution would boost multi-level exchanges and cooperation with its Algerian counterpart organization and further deepen bilateral relations. During a meeting with his CNES counterpart Mohamed Seghir Babes, CESC President Wang Gang said that the two institutions have developed friendly cooperative relations, maintained good communication and collaboration and yielded abundant positive results since the CESC and CNES established contacts. The two institutions signed a cooperation memo after the meeting.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

32. China to Strengthen Economic ties with Arab states
Yinchuan, Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Top political advisor Jia Qinglin told officials and entrepreneurs attending the second China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum in Yinchuan on Wednesday that China and Arab states should further boost economic cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, energy and infrastructure. Jia further cited that by the end of 2010, China’s accumulated investment in Arab states exceeded US $15 billion, while Arab enterprises’ investment in China totalled US $2.6 billion, making it one of the fastest growing investment markets for China. The five-day forum would focus on economic and trade cooperation in agriculture, science and technology, energy, finance, tourism and the publishing sector.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing; See also, Xinhua, Beijing

Egypt
33. Chinese investors offer jobs for Egyptians
Suez, Saturday, 24 September 2011
According to reports, more than 1,000 Egyptians, mostly Suez locals, have been employed by companies in the cooperation zone, which is managed and built by a joint venture between Chinese and Egyptian companies.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Saudi Arabia
34. Saudi Arabia, China’s Ningxia sign cooperation memorandum
Beijing, Tuesday, 13 September 2011
A five-person delegation of Saudi Arabia visited northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ningxia Ameen Co Ltd to help Ningxia to build Muslim hospitals, Arab-style five-star hotels and strengthen bilateral cooperation on chemical and power industry. The delegation visited the China University of Prevention and Control of Desertification, Ningxia Medical University and the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base of Shenhua Ningxia Coal Industry Group.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Tunisia
35. Tunisia seeks more Chinese investment minister
Yinchuan, Thursday, 22 September 2011
While attending the ongoing China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum in Yinchuan, the Tunisian Minister of Trade and Tourism Mehdi Houas expressed his country’s hopes of more Chinese investments and enterprises. He further said that there are currently about 3,100 foreign enterprises in Tunisia, but only six of them are from China. Houas said Tunisia is seeking Chinese investment in technology and manufacturing, as well as in service-oriented sectors like banking, insurance and telecommunication.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Turkey
36. Turkey, China banks in talks on currency swap deal
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
The central banks of Turkey and China are holding discussions over a currency liquidity swap arrangement to promote trade by settling transactions in lira and Yuan, Turkey’s central bank Governor Erdem Basci said on Wednesday. In 2010, the bilateral trade between Turkey and China was around US $20 billion in 2010, made up mostly of Chinese exports to Turkey and marking an increase of more than 35 percent from 2009. Turkey wants to rebalance trade with China through more Chinese investments in Turkey, Chinese tourists, joint ventures in third countries and more access for Turkish goods in China.
Source:  Reuters, US

37. Chinese firm to invest $1 billion in Turkish coal sector
Istanbul, Thursday, 29 September 2011
The agreement between China’s Zhejiang Energy Group and Polat Mining Company, to invest over US $1 billion to open a coal mine and build a coal power plant in the western province of Manisa, marks the biggest investment ever made by a Chinese firm in Turkey. Some 3,000 jobs could be created once the investment is finished.
Source:  Hurriyet Daily News, Istanbul

ENERGY ISSUES
Iran
38. China to speed up work on delayed Iranian gas project report
Dubai, Wednesday, 28 September 2011
China would make up a delay of more than two years in the development of phase 11 of Iran’s South Pars gas field within three to four months, the state-run Pars Oil and Gas Company said Tuesday. Iran recently warned China’s CNPC that it would award the project to local contractors if the Chinese state-owned company did not speed up work on the project. The two sides held a meeting in Tehran last week to discuss the issue.
Source:  Platts

39. China emphasized on trade with Iran
Beijing, Thursday, 29 September 2011
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that Beijing has always implemented Security Council resolutions conscientiously, but also had a right to trade with Iran, China’s third-largest oil supplier. He further emphasized that China’s normal business relations with Iran do not violate any Security Council resolutions nor undermine the interests of other countries in the international community.
Source:  Tehran Times, Tehran

Kuwait
40. Joint refinery with China to promote bilateral oil cooperation
Kuwait City, Sunday, 25 September 2011
Kuwaiti Oil Minister Mohammad Al-Busairi said Sunday that the China-Kuwait joint oil refinery would help promote cooperation between the two countries in the oil sector. The US $ 9 billion project is one of the pillars of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)’s expansion strategy for 2030. The project, expected to be completed in 2013, would have an oil refining capacity of 300,000 barrels per day and would also produce 1 million tons of ethylene per year and is among China’s largest joint ventures in the oil sector when put into operation.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

MULTILATERAL ISSUES
41. China urges increased diplomatic efforts in Iran nuclear issue
Beijing, Thursday, 1 September 2011
On Thursday Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu said that China called on relevant parties to enhance diplomatic efforts in resolving the Iranian nuclear issue after Iran’s atomic chief said nuclear fuel swap talks were over. As a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran has the right to peacefully utilize nuclear power and assume due international obligations, Ma said.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

42. Chinese delegation leaves for visits to Algeria
Beijing, Monday, 5 September 2011
A Chinese delegation left Beijing on Monday for goodwill visits to Algeria and Europe and the delegation was headed by Wang Gang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

43. Dialogue, negotiation "the only ways"
United Nations, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Chinese UN Ambassador Li Baodong told a Security Council meeting about the council’s sanctions committee on resolution 1737, which was adopted in 2006 that the only ways to solve the Iran nuclear issue are through dialogue and negotiation on the basis of gradual and orderly development, as well as equal and mutual benefit because this is in the common interest of the international community. Li said that China has always believed that as a state party to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iran enjoys the rights of peaceful use of nuclear energy and should carry out its international obligations.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

44. Chinese FM meets GCC delegation
United Nations, Saturday, 24 September 2011
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met on Saturday with representatives from the members on the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, which holds the current rotating presidency of GCC, and GCC Secretary General Abdul Latif Al Zayani said GCC would continue to adhere to the One-China Policy. They also hope to further the mutual cooperation and deepen the strategic dialogue with China in the long run.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

MISCELLANEOUS
Egypt
45. Chinese Embassy holds National Day reception
Cairo, Wednesday, 28 September 2011
The Chinese Embassy in Egypt held a grand reception at Cairo on Wednesday to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo delivered a speech during the reception in Cairo on Wednesday.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

Iran
46. Chinese culture fascinates Iranians
Tehran, Monday, 26 September 2011
Chinese Culture Week opened on Thursday (22 September 2011), at the Niavaran Culture Centre   to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Iran in 1971.
Source:  Xinhua, Beijing

47. China, Iran sign MoU on Mashkhad-Gorgan railway
Friday, 30 September 2011
CMIC, a Chinese import and export company, has signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Mashkad-Budzhnurd-Gorgan railway with the Iranian Ministry for Roads and Transport. The railway would be 655 km long connecting the administrative centres of Khorasan-Razavi, Northern Khorasan and Golestan. A spokesman of the Chinese company said in Beijing that the memorandum was signed after two years of negotiations and consultation. The sides would exchange documents within two months.
Source:  Vestnik Kavkaza

Compiled By Aradhana Talwar

Aradhana Talwar is pursuing research at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Email

As part of the policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spellings and date format to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND P R Kumaraswamy