Trade

China rejected the first request by US, EU and Canada to form a WTO panel to investigate China's rules on auto part imports which they say help Chinese car parts makers and break WTO rules.

See previous post.

Environment -- International River

A Chinese environmental official denied pollution in Songhua River in China had any link with meningitis in Russia's border region Khabarovsk. In August, a Chinese company illegally discharged pollutants into the Mangniu River, a tributary of Songhua River.

See previous post.

Reparation for War Crimes

The Osaka High Court rejected an appeal by Chinese labourers who claimed compensation for forced labour against the Japanese government and companies. The court said governmental acts before the adoption of State Compensation Law are immune from liability and the 20-year period of limitation has expired.

See previous post.

Taiwan

A spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Counci condemned Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's constitutional reforms proposal which involved the possibility of changing the "territorial definitions" of Taiwan. He said Chen's behavior demonstrated his insistence on adopting a "Taiwan Independence" stance.

United Nations

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said at the UN General Assembly that China is ready to increase her financial contribution to the UN. At present, China pays 2% of the UN budget or about US$39 million. In regard to UN reform, Li said progress should be made in security, development, human rights as well as other fields.

See previous post.

Human Rights

Amnesty International issued a report alleging that China has failed to live up to the promises its leaders made to improve human rights for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and called on the International Olympic Committee "to put pressure on Chinese authorities" to improve human rights. In response, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said AI has always been prejudiced against China and "its reports are usually politically motivated".

Use of Force -- Peacekeeping Operations

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said China is very concerned over the situation in Darfur, but the UN should be cautious about sending peacekeeping forces to Sudan and should first seek the consent of the Sudanese government and other African organizations and states concerned.

Hong Kong
Treaties

Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung said that Hong Kong has concluded about 140 bilateral agreements with foreign governments since 1997 and over 200 multilateral treaties have continued to apply to Hong Kong, including nearly 80 treaties that do not apply to mainland China.

Human Rights -- Religious Freedom

Reacting to the US State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2006, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman denounced the American accusation on China's religion policy and freedom, saying the "groundless" criticism was in violation of international norms and "interference in China's internal affairs."

International organizations
International Finance

International Monetary Fund approved the increase of the voting rights of China and three other countries of emerging economy. Previously, China held 2.9% of the voting rights.

Extradition

The Shanghai High People's Court ruled in favour of Russia's request for extradition of a Russian sailor accused of beating a colleague to death on board a St. Vincent and Grenadines-registered cargo ship. The court found that the accused's alleged actions violated the Criminal Laws of both China and Russia. The court also noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines made no extradition request while Russia also had jurisdiction over Russian citizens who were charged with crimes in foreign countries. This was reportedly the first extradition request from Russia accepted by China

See previous post.

Human Rights -- Refugee

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said that North Korean illegal immigrants in China are not refugees and had come to China for economic reasons. He said that China would handle the North Korean illegal immigrants issue according to Chinese law, international law and the humanitarian principle.

Use of Force -- Peacekeeping Operation

Premier Wen Jiabao said China will bolster its peacekeeping force in Lebanon to 1,000, which will be China's largest ever peacekeeping contingent and increase its global UN deployment by 50 per cent. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman later said that China had participated in 15 UN peacekeeping operations since 1990 and had contributed 6,000 personnel.

Trade

A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman expressed regret over a request by the EU, the US and Canada for a WTO panel to hear their complaint about China's tariff treatment of foreign auto parts, reportedly the first litigation against China at the trade body. "In its discussions with the EU, United States and Canada, China has already clarified this point and showed great sincerity," he complained.

Law of War -- Arms Control

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman rejected allegations by US officials that China helped other states develop ballistic missile technology and violated international treaties banning chemical and biological weapons, calling them "groundless" and "irresponsible".

Law of the Sea -- Exclusive Economic Zone

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said China opposed South Korea's construction of a maritime observation station on Suyan Islet in northern East China Sea which is an area under the overlapping claims of exclusive economic zones by China and South Korea. He declared that South Korea's unilateral actions had no legal effect.

Taiwan

After the UN General Assembly rejected for the 14th time Taiwan's attempt to join the UN, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council condemned Taiwan's action as a "new" and "dangerous" step to push secession.

See previous post.

Law of Sea -- Territorial Sea

The Chinese navy erected 10 mere stones over two years along the baselines for the territorial sea in the East China Sea. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the erection of boundary markers was carried out within the limits of Chinese sovereignty and had nothing to do with the disputes over maritime delimitation with neighbouring states.

Law of the Sea

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said China's exploration at the Chunxiao field in the East China Sea occurs in China's coastal waters not subject to any dispute with Japan. He declared that China would never accept the median line method as the basis for delimitation of the continental shelf or discussing joint development.

See previous post.

Human Rights -- Freedom of Expression

China announced new controls over the distribution of news by foreign news agencies in China. The regulations give Xinhua News Agency broad authority over foreign news agencies, requiring them to distribute news, photos and other services solely through Xinhua. The European Union and international press groups denounced the new rules as a step backward.

Later, a Chinese senior official said the Government would ensure that Xinhua would not monopolize the news industry.

Extradition
Terrorism

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said China requested the US to repatriate terrorist suspects of Chinese nationality that are detained in the Guantanamo base. He said anti-terrorism activities must comply with the Charter of the United Nations and the basis principles of international relations.

See previous post.

Extradition

The Shanghai High People's Court held an extradition hearing for the first time in a case where a Russian sailor was accused of killing another Russian seaman on board a ship of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines nationality. Russia requested extradition of the accused on the basis of tea extradition treaty between Russia and China.