Beijing

Arrest warrant

The Ministry of Public Security has issued a warrant for the arrest of a 29-year-old man accused of murdering a police officer about a week ago in Jiangxi Province.

Liu Qianjin, a native of Dexing city in Jiangxi, is also suspected of murdering another person in Dexing on October 16.

On November 18, Liu Min, head of a detachment of the vice squad in Dexing's police station, attempted to arrest the suspect but was stabbed 18 times and died.

A reward of 50,000 yuan ($6,667) has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Protest groundless

The Foreign Ministry yesterday rejected as "groundless" Vietnam's protest over the Chinese Navy's exercise near Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. Hanoi claimed that the exercise has infringed upon its sovereignty.

Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular news briefing that "the navy's routine exercise near Xisha Islands is normal activity within China's territorial waters".

China has indisputable sovereignty over Xisha Islands and adjacent water areas, he said.

Washington

Taiwan referendum

Visiting Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Monday that it is in the common interests of China and the United States to oppose and prevent Taiwan holding a referendum on UN membership.

He made the remarks when meeting his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice.

The planned referendum is part of Chen Shui-bian's efforts to pursue "de jure independence", Yang said.

He urged Washington not to send misleading signals to the Taiwan authorities by selling advanced weapon systems.

Xinhua

(China Daily 11/28/2007 page2)