Beijing reiterates Galwan valley on its side of LAC

BEIJING: A day after India trashed the Chinese Army’s claim of sovereignty over the Galwan Valley and asked Beijing to confine its activities to its side of the LAC, China’s foreign ministry on Friday claimed that the Galwan Valley was on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control.

India has already dismissed China’s claim of sovereignty over the Galwan Valley, saying such “exaggerated” and “untenable” claims are contrary to the understanding reached during a highlevel military dialogue on June 6.

During a media briefing here, the Chinese foreign ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian again blamed India for the violent faceoff in eastern Ladakh on the night of June 15 in which 20 Indian soldiers, including a Colonel, were killed, and issued a press note giving ‘step-by-step account of the Galwan clash’ as per China.

Zhao’s reiteration of Beijing’s claim over the Galwan Valley came a day after the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said “given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). We expect the Chinese side to also confine it’s activities to it’s side of the LAC.”

“The Galwan Valley lies on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the western section of the China-india border. For many years, Chinese border guards have been patrolling and performing their duties normally.” He added “a second commander-level meeting should happen as soon as possible.”