China tirade continues...

Continued from Page 1 (visit) disputed areas between China and India, India has damaged our interests and the IndiaChina relationship and it has fuelled tensions,” she said. “We oppose the visit to relevant areas and oppose attempts by relevant countries to arrange a platform for (the) Dalai (Lama) to conduct antiChina activities. We urge the relevant country to stop such erroneous actions and stop undermining Chinese interests,” she added.

The official media here slammed the development, saying that China should not hesitate to answer “blows with blows” if India chooses to “play dirty” by allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh.

Two English newspapers, China Daily and Global Times, launched a scathing attack on India after minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju said that Arunachal Pradesh is “an inseparable part of India”.

Taking exception to Mr Rijiju’s remarks, the papers said India is using the Dalai Lama as a “diplomatic tool” against China for its “vice like veto” against India’s membership in the NSG and the UN ban on Jaishe-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.

Despite the historical dispute, the China-India border area has by and large remained peaceful recently, particularly since Beijing and New Delhi began to get serious about border talks, the state-run China Daily said in an editorial.

“If New Delhi chooses to play dirty, however, Beijing should not hesitate to answer blows with blows,” the paper said.

In its editorial, the ruling CPC-run Global Times criticised Mr Rijiju for accompanying the Dalai Lama during his visit to the state.

“The Dalai Lama has been to the disputed region before, but what makes this trip different is that he is received and accompanied by India’s Junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju. When China raised the concern over the visit, Rijiju commented that China shouldn’t intervene in their ‘internal affairs’,” it said.

“New Delhi probably overestimates its leverage in the bilateral ties with China. The two countries in recent years have continuously strived to improve their relationship and the peace on the border area has been maintained,” it said.

“India has benefited from the good momentum of bilateral relationship as much as China. If New Delhi ruins the Sino- India ties and the two countries turn into open rivals, can India afford the consequence?,” the tabloid, known for striking aggressive nationalistic postures, said.

“With a GDP several times higher than that of India, military capabilities that can reach the Indian Ocean and having good relations with India’s peripheral nations, coupled with the fact that India’s turbulent northern state borders China, if China engages in a geopolitical game with India, will Beijing lose to New Delhi?” it said. Asked about assertions in the Chinese media that India’s move was aimed at pressuring Beijing over the issues relating to China blocking India’s Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership bid, Ms Hua said, “China will not make any assumptions on India’s intentions.”