Chinese official says unaware of any talks between China, Baloch militants

• Baloch leaders deny holding talks with China

Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson on Thursday said he has no knowledge of any talks between the Chinese government and Baloch militant in the restive province of Balochistan.

In a reply to a question on the recent reports of talks between the Chinese government and Baloch militants, Geng Shuang told reporters that the Chinese and the Pakistani governments have been working in coordination on security matters regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“We appreciate that Pakistan has already taken a series of important measures for the effective protection of the CPEC projects and Chinese citizens,” he said, adding that China hopes that the Pakistani side will continue with these efforts to ensure the safety of the CPEC.

Separately, Kiyya Baloch, while reporting for Gandhara.rferl, wrote that “major separatist factions and leading ethno-nationalist politicians…have denied engaging in secret talks with Chinese officials…”

“Some Baloch political figures did meet with Chinese officials, but it is not clear what exactly was achieved,” the publication went on to state.

Quoting sources familiar with the talks, the report, however, said that Baluch tribal leaders Gazain Marri and Sardar Akhtar Mengal held two rounds of secret talks with a Chinese delegation in the United Arab Emirates in May and September last year.