Construction in ‘our territory’ Doklam legitimate, says China
BEIJING: China on Friday said it was justified in building roads and infrastructure in the Doklam (Donglang) region near the Sikkim border as the area was under its “effective jurisdiction” and aimed at improving the lives of its troops living in its “own territory”.
Beijing’s strong reaction came within hours of reports in the Indian media saying the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was building a military complex close to the area where border troops from the two countries were locked in a stand-off last year.
“Donglang always belonged to China and always under China’s effective jurisdiction. There is no dispute in this regard. In order to patrol the border and improve the production and lives border troops and residents China has constructed infrastructure including roads in the Donglang area. China is exercising sovereignty in its own territory,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Friday. “Just as China will not make comments on India’s construction of infrastructure on India’s territory, we hope other countries will not make comments on China’s construction of infrastructure in its own territory,’’ Lu said. Lu had been asked to comment on the reports on massive build-ups by Chinese troops in the area, triggering fears of a second stand-off.
The reports in the Indian media had been bolstered by satellite imagery of the build-up.
Asked about satellite imagery, Lu said, “I have also noted the relevant report. I don’t know who offers such kind of photos”, but at the same time added that he did not have detailed information. In a reference to Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat’s recent remarks that Doklam was disputed territory between China and Bhutan, Lu said: “The Indian senior military officer has recognised that it was Indian troops who crossed border.” “This incident has put bilateral relations to undergo a severe test. We hope the Indian side can learn lessons from this and avoid the incident to happen again,” he said.
Recalling the summit between PM Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of BRICS summit in Xiamen in September, Lu said “actually during the summit, the two leaders reached some consensus on improving bilateral relations and chartering the course for future development”.
BEIJING’S STRONG REACTION CAME WITHIN HOURS OF REPORTS PLA WAS BUILDING A MILITARY COMPLEX CLOSE TO WHERE BORDER TROOPS WERE LOCKED IN A STANDOFF LAST YEAR