BEIJING: China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday clarified that Beijing would continue to adhere to a policy of non-interference when it comes to Kashmir dispute.
The clarification came days after Chinese daily Global Times published a column highlighting Beijing’s “vested interest” in settlement of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.
The column in the state-run Global Times on Tuesday highlighted that due to massive investments undertaken in the One Belt, One Road initiative in the region, China has a “vested interest in helping resolve regional conflicts, including the dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan.”
The column had advised that while China had always “adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” it can no long turn a “deaf ear to the demands of Chinese enterprises in protecting their overseas investments.”
The Chinese foreign ministry in a statement emailed to IANS was quoted as saying: “China’s position on the issue of Kashmir is clear and consistent. It is an issue left over from history between India and Pakistan and shall be properly addressed by India and Pakistan through consultation and negotiation.”
The ministry’s statement added that building of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has no bearing on China’s stance on the matter, and urged Pakistan and India to “properly handle differences by increasing communication and dialogue, and jointly uphold regional peace and stability.”
However, it added that Beijing is “willing to make constructive efforts for the improvement of India-Pakistan relations.”