Chinese Foreign Policy: A Chronology April - June 2009 - Defence ...

Ren Xiao admitted that under international law, it was a “grey area” under which the USwould argue “that international law does not specifically prohibit such behaviours”. Chinainsists US ships have violated the Interational Law of the Sea.7 May 2009 Accra - Ghana's acting President John Mahama met Wang Jiarui, head of theInternational Department of the CCP Central Committee and discussed bilateral ties betweenthe two countries and parties. During the meeting, Wang conveyed the warm greetings ofChinese President Hu Jintao and Vice-President Xi Jinping to President John Atta-Mills andMahama. On behalf of Atta-Mills, Mahma expressed appreciation and conveyed sinceregreetings to the Chinese leaders.7 May 2009 Bishkek - Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov said his country's trade andeconomic ties with China are growing rapidly despite the impact of the global financial crisis.During a meeting with China's new ambassador, Wang Kaiwen, Chudinov said Chinesedirect investment in Kyrgyzstan is increasing and some large projects are already underway.Positive progress has been made in the work with regard to construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, Chudinov said.8 May 2009 Beijing - Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said that China rejectedVietnam's submission on the outer limits ofthe continental shelf to the UN Commission on theLimits of the Continental Shelf:"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Xisha and Nansha Islands and theiradjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the seabed andsubsoil in the region."Malaysia and Vietnam presented a joint submission to the United Nations, and Vietnam laterpresented a separate report.8 May 2009 Beijing - Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said China sincerely hopes allparties in Nepal can maintain unity and work together to push forward the peace process. Masaid the issue was an internal affair for Nepal, but China, as a friend and neighbour, hopedNepal could realize political stability and economic development.8 May 2009 Beijing - President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Hu Jintaosigned a decree awarding merits to 15 organizations and 28 individuals with the PLA. Threeclasses of merits were meted out in accordance with the receivers' contribution. Ten unitsand individuals were cited for their relief efforts after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake strucksouthwestern China on May 12 last year, two for "remarkable troop building," five for"achievements in major scientific experiments," two for artist creations and the rest forachievements in scientific researches, according to the decree.8 May 2009 Brussels - The European Union and China agreed to promote trade andinvestment as a way to counter the world economic crisis. The Vice Premier Wang Qishan,standing with EU Trade Commissioner Ashton, also called for joint efforts with the EU topush for a swift conclusion of the long-stalled Doha Round of global trade talks.8 May 2009 Taipei -Taiwan's top negotiator with China, Chiang Pin-kung, announced that hehas decided to stay on as chairman of the SEF, just days after voicing his determination toresign.President Ma Ying-jeou suggested that it may be time for the two sides of the Taiwan Straitto consider the feasibility of exchanging offices to deal with certain issues. Ma broached theidea during a visit to the SEF, a quasi-official intermediary authorized to handle cross-straitaffairs in the absence of official ties between the two countries.60