VOICES FROM CHINA LAST WEEK

Wang Wenli, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Even if there is only one Indian soldier, even for a day it is still be a violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is impossible to have a dialogue with India at this time. Our people will think our government is incompetent. Until the Indian side withdraws from the Chinese territory, there will be no substantive talks between us. We think it is not doable for the Indian side to use tri-junction as an excuse. The Indian side has also many tri-junctions. What if we use the same excuse and enter the Kalapani region between China, India and Nepal or even the Kashmir region between India and Pakistan? Therefore, using the tri-junction as an excuse does not hold water at all. It will only cause more trouble.

Col Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for the defence ministry: India must dispel any illusions that it can hold out for a change. No country should underestimate the confidence and ability of the Chinese military to fulfil its duty of defending peace.

Global Timeseditorial: If war breaks out, the Liberation Army will use its thunderous might to deliver a painful lesson to India. The Modi government should understand the powerful delivery capabilities and overwhelming firepower of the Liberation Army.

Premier Xi Jinping in a speech on the 90th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army: We will never permit anybody, any organisation, any political party to split any piece of Chinese territory from China at any time or in any form. Nobody would nurse any hope that we will swallow the bitter fruit of harm to our national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xinhua, official China news agency: China has made it clear that there is no room for negotiation and the only solution is the unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Indian troops from the region. If China backs down now, India may be emboldened to make more trouble in the future.