The Asian Age

Let’s solve border row in a calm way: China

◗ Commenting on Indian envoy to China Gautam Bambawale’s interview to state- run Chinese daily the Global Times, China’s foreign ministry spokespers­on Hua Chunying said that difference­s can be addressed through existing mechanisms

- K. J. M. VARMA

Beijing, Jan. 29: Defending its military infrastruc­ture build up in Doklam, China on Monday claimed that the area falls within its sovereignt­y and said that difference­s with India over the border should be resolved in a “calm way” through the existing mechanisms.

Commenting on Indian envoy to China Gautam Bambawale’s statement that the status quo should not be changed along the sensitive areas of the 3,488- km- long border, China’s foreign ministry spokespers­on Hua Chunying said, “The two sides should look at border issues in a calm way and resolve relevant issues through the existing border related mechanisms so that we can create conditions and enabling environmen­t to properly solve our difference­s.”

Defending its military infrastruc­ture build up in Dokalam, China on Monday claimed that the area falls within its sovereignt­y and said Sino- India difference­s over the border should be resolved in a “calm way” through the existing mechanisms.

Commenting on Indian envoy to China Gautam Bambawale’s interview to state- run Chinese daily the Global Times where he said the status quo should not be changed along the sensitive areas of the 3,488- km border, China’s foreign ministry spokespers­on Hua Chunying said that difference­s can be addressed through existing mechanisms.

“I believe that you are blowing it ( Dokalam standoff) out of proportion. I believe that in the post- Dokalam period, India and China need to be talking to each other and conversing with each other much more than in the past” at different levels, including at the leadership level, Mr Bambawale had told the daily.

India and China ended the 73- day standoff on August 28, 2017 at Dokalam area after the People’s Liberation Army ( PLA) stopped building a strategic road close to India’s narrow Chicken’s Neck area connecting the north- eastern states.

“Indeed, we have noted that the ambassador talked about it while addressing the issue,” Hua said when asked about Indian envoy’s remarks. “The two sides should look at border issues in a calm way and resolve relevant issues through the existing border related mechanisms so that we can create conditions and enabling environmen­t to properly solve our difference­s,” she said.

Besides a mechanism to discuss border tensions, India and China also have special representa­tive level border talks to resolve the difference­s over disputed border.

The Line of Actual Control ( LAC) between India and China stretches to 3,488 km. The two sides held 20 rounds of border to talks to resolve the border issues.

Ms Hua reiterated China’s stand that Dokalam, which is also claimed by Bhutan, is very much its territory.

“I should stress that it ( area) falls within China’s sovereignt­y that we conduct facility building in Dong Long ( Dokalam) area,” Ms Hua responded when asked about the satellite images which showed new Chinese military facilities at Dokalam.

“The Sikkim section of the China- India boundary has been demarcated by historic treaty and treaty under effective jurisdicti­on of China,” she said.

China claims that the Sikkim section of the boundary is resolved under the 1890 treaty between UK and China.

“China has always upheld our sovereignt­y along the border area including ( Dong Long) Dokalam,” she said.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India