Spokesman on alert for more than questions

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-17 07:17

The sizeable foreign media contingent in Beijing may use one word if asked to describe Liu Jianchao: Stoic.

Liu Jianchao

But on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry spokesman displayed another side to his personality: Sense of humor.

He said he would be watching out for journalists taking off their shoes in news conferences after an Iraqi reporter threw a pair at outgoing US President George W. Bush in Baghdad on Sunday.

Asked what he thought of Sunday's incident, Liu replied all leaders deserved respect.

"I believe we should have basic respect for the leader of a country," he told a regular briefing, before adding that the attack had given him pause for thought.

"Maybe I need to watch out not just for who is raising their hands but who is taking off their shoes," said Liu, who then faced only a volley of questions.

The spokesman later told China Daily that it wasn't a question he prepared for; and the answer was "impromptu".

Told that his wit led to at least one major international news agency reporting it under the headline "Sole-searching after shoe attack on Bush", Liu said he would check out the story.

Chinese journalists say that Liu - away from the briefing podium at the Foreign Ministry building - is a jovial personality.

China Daily- Agencies