China defends pak anti-terror role

beijing — China on Wednesday strongly defended Pakistan, after India and the US asked Islamabad to ensure that its territory was not used for cross-border terrorism.

China also said Pakistan was “at the frontline” in the battle against terrorism and the international community should give due recognition to Islamabad.

“We are opposed to all forms of terrorism. We have also clearly stated that we oppose linking terrorism with certain countries,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.

“We have to say that Pakistan stands at the frontline of counterterrorism fight and has been making efforts in this regard.

“We think that international communication against terrorism

We are opposed to all forms of terrorism. We have also clearly stated that we oppose linking terrorism with certain countries Chinese foreign ministry

should be enhanced and stepped up and the international community should give full recognition to Pakistan in its efforts in this regard,” Lu added.

A joint statement released after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged Pakistan not to let its territory be used by terrorists for attacks on other countries. China has defended its “all-weather ally” Pakistan earlier as well. It has repeatedly vetoed India’s proposal to declare Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

China, meanwhile, has also announced earlier that it will launch “shuttle diplomacy” between Pakistan and Afghanistan to ease tensions between the two neighbours and promote the peace process in war-torn Afghanistan amidst a spurt in terror attacks in both the countries.

China will conduct the shuttle diplomacy between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his visit to both the countries, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.—