Does India support China on dispute? Beijing thinks so
BEIJING: A state-run newspaper on Wednesday proudly displayed a world map showing countries that support China’s position on the South China Sea (SCS) disputes – and in what some would describe as a flight of diplomatic fancy, it included India.
The countries purportedly backing Beijing, actually most of the world barring North and South America and Australia, were predictably coloured in red in the map on the front page of China Daily.
The text above the map said: “More than 70 countries have publicly voiced support for China’s position that South China Sea disputes should be resolved through negotiations and not arbitration.
In contrast, just several countries, mainly the United States and its close allies, have publicly supported the Philippines and called for observing the ruling as legally binding.”
The report raised eyebrows in New Delhi, as it came a little more than a fortnight after China blocked India’s application to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group during the elite club’s plenary in Seoul last month.
Sources in New Delhi described the report as part of a “misinformation campaign by China”. A source said: “Our statement yesterday makes our position very clear.”
Asked about the map, China’s foreign ministry told HT: “For the China Daily map, please ask the newspaper.”