U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 28, 2008

12:55 p.m. EDT

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QUESTION: I'm wondering if you've gotten any more information about the diplomat who will be traveling to Lhasa, the --

MR. MCCORMACK: Yes. It's -- if you want to go by diplomatic rank, he is a Second Secretary. He is somebody in the political section who speaks fluent Mandarin and his portfolio is Tibet. So he is currently there in Lhasa as part of this tour. He will also endeavor to meet with any American citizens who may have remained in Lhasa during this period of time.

QUESTION: We didn't -- sorry we're late.

QUESTION: Have you heard back --

MR. MCCORMACK: That's okay.

QUESTION: Have you heard anything from him yet?

MR. MCCORMACK: We haven't heard anything back from him other than just the briefest, most bare-boned reports.

Yes, Libby.

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QUESTION: Any comment on the Taiwan President -- President-elect visiting the U.S?

MR. MCCORMACK: We have -- the answer is the same as I have provided you earlier in the week. Mr. Ma has indicated publicly he would like to visit the U.S. before his May 20th inauguration. We are presently taking his request under consideration. Any U.S. decision will be consistent with the unofficial nature of our relationship with Taiwan and with our one China policy based on the three communiqu‚s and the Taiwan Relations Act.

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(The briefing was concluded at 1:07 p.m.)