- FM spokesperson asks Islamabad, New Delhi to start meaningful dialogue
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang has said that the on-going tension along the Line of Control in Kashmir is posing threat to peace and stability of the region.
At a regular news briefing, he said that China already showed its willingness to play a facilitating role for reducing tension between Pakistan and India. When asked what role China could play to defuse tension, he said they were ready to play a constructive role to improve their relationship.
He said that both Islamabad and New Delhi needed to start a meaningful dialogue for the settlement of their bilateral disputes and promote peace in the region. “The conflict, occurring near the Line of Control in Kashmir, will not only harm the peace and stability of the two countries but also peace and tranquility of the region,” he remarked.
To a question, he said that the situation in the Kashmir has attracted attention of the world community. “Both Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia and we hope that relevant sides can do more things that are conducive to peace and stability in the region and avoid escalating the tensions,” he said.
When asked to comment that the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) has strongly condemned India for the tensions in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) and called upon United Nations to implement Security Council’s resolutions on Kashmir, he said China has noted the relevant report.
Responding to a question about current border standoff between China and India in the Sikkim section, he reiterated his demand and asked the Indian side to withdraw its troops from Chinese territory and properly settle this dispute at an early date. “We once again require India to withdraw border troops to Indian side of the boundary and properly settle this dispute at an early date,” he added.
He said that China has pointed out many times the illegal trespass of Indian border troops on mutually recognised borderline on China territory. The spokesperson said that the current trespass was different in nature from the frictions happened in the undefined sections of the boundary.
“The Sikkim section has special historical background and this is only defined boundary between China and India and it is totally different from the undefined boundaries in the East, Middle and West parts,” he said. As per the 1890 Convention, the Sikkim section has been defined and it has been recognised by both China and India, he said.