BRIEF-Canada's Freeland says Canada has asked for clemency for man sentenced to death in China

Jan 15 (Reuters) -

* CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CHRYSTIA FREELAND SAYS SITUATION WITH CHINA IS 'DIFFICULT,' BUT STRESSES DEEP CANADIAN TIES WITH CHINA

* CANADA'S FREELAND SAYS "OUR ALLIES ARE WITH US" IN THE CASE OF THE TWO CANADIANS DETAINED IN CHINA

* CANADA'S FREELAND SAYS OTTAWA HAS FORMALLY ASKED FOR CLEMENCY FOR CANADIAN CITIZEN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN CHINA

* CANADA'S FREELAND SAYS 'WE HAVE ONGOING AND ENERGETIC CONTACTS' WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN CHINA, WILL CONTINUE (Reporting by David Ljunggren)