China on Monday said it was not aware of the remarks in the Pakistani media, attributed to its Consul General in Lahore that Beijing will support Islamabad in case of “any foreign aggression.”
“I am not aware of the situation you mentioned,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, when asked to comment on the reported remarks.
In Pakistan, a statement from the Punjab Chief Minister’s office quoted Yu Boren, China’s top diplomat in Lahore, as saying,“In case of any [foreign] aggression our country will extend its full support to Pakistan.”
Pakistani daily Dawn reported that Beijing had conveyed the message during Mr. Yu’s meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday.
The statement said Mr. Yu conveyed to the Chief Minister that the “aspirations” of the Kashmiri’s should be taken into account in resolving the Kashmir issue — a definite shift in Beijing’s position, which has made bilateral negotiations between India and Pakistan as the cornerstone of its position on the dispute.
“We're and will be siding with Pakistan on Kashmir issue...There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris... and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiris," Mr. Yu was quoted as saying.
But on Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated that a bilateral dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad should be the way forward in resolving the Kashmir issue.
“China’s position on the relevant issue is consistent and clear. As neighbour and friend to both Pakistan and India we hope the two countries will properly address their differences through dialogue and consultation, manage and control the situation and jointly work for peace and stability of South Asia and the growth of the region,” Mr. Geng said.
Asked to comment specifically on the Kashmir issue, he said: “With regard to the Kashmir issue, we believe it is an issue left over from history. We hope the relevant parties will peacefully and properly resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation.”
The Chinese foreign ministry has not deviated from its position that India and Pakistan should talk directly to resolve their differences, following the flare up in India-Pak. tensions in the aftermath of the Uri incident, where 18 Indian soldiers were killed in a cross-border raid.
Denies “incursions”
Mr. Geng declined to go into specifics in response to another question about the alleged recent transgression by Chinese troops across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. “The border troops of China always abide by agreements of the two sides and strictly follow the bilateral agreements concerning the LAC. We hope the Indian side will work together with us to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas and strive to resolve the boundary question at an early date,” he said.
The spokesman pointed out that, “China’s position on the boundary question between India and China is consistent and clear. The boundary between the two sides is yet to be demarcated. We are engaged in dialogue and consultation to properly address differences in this regard.”
