- Wang Yi warns ‘unilateral actions that will complicate the situation should not be taken’
BEIJING/ISLAMABAD – China Friday said it was “seriously concerned” about the latest escalation of tensions in Kashmir, warning that ‘unilateral actions that will complicate the situation should not be taken’.
“The Kashmir issue is a dispute left from the colonial history. It should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreement. China believes that unilateral actions that will complicate the situation should not be taken,” an official handout quoted Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi after a formal round of talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Qureshi had arrived in Chinese capital Beijing earlier in the day on a special visit following India’s decision to annex Jammu & Kashmir in violation of UN resolutions.
Wang Yi stressed that as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China and Pakistan have understood and supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests.
“This is a good tradition that should be cherished by the two sides and China will continue to support Pakistan in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests and uphold justice for Pakistan on the international arena,” said Wang Yi, noting that Pakistan and India are both China’s friendly neighbors and major developing countries that are in a crucial stage of development.
“We call on the two sides to proceed from their national development and peace in South Asia, properly resolve historical grievances, get rid of the zero-sum mindset, avoid unilateral action and seek a new path to peaceful coexistence”.
Wang Yi urged Pakistan and India to proceed from their national development and peace in South Asia, properly resolve historical grievances, get rid of the zero-sum mindset, avoid unilateral action and seek a new path to peaceful coexistence.
In a released video, Qureshi said that China has assured to support Pakistan’s move in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Qureshi briefed the Chinese side on Pakistan’s observations, position and measures in response to the latest development of the situation in Kashmir. Qureshi said that China is Pakistan’s friend that has long been trusted, and that friendship between Pakistan and China is rock solid. He believes China will stand up for justice on the Kashmir issue.
“Pakistan will continue to resolutely support China’s just position on issues concerning China’s core interests. The Pakistani side will continue to advance Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” the statement quoted Qureshi.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reached Beijing to discuss India’s “unconstitutional” move to rid occupied Kashmir of its special status by scrapping Article 370 and 35-A and the evolving security situation in the region with his Chinese counterpart.
He was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi on his arrival at the Beijing airport.
He was then taken to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse where he was warmly received by FM Yi and discussions between the two began.
The foreign minister’s visit came in the wake of heightened tensions with India after it unilaterally scrapped Kashmir special status amid a severe clampdown in the held region along with deployment of additional force.
It had also imposed a curfew in the region, which now has entered the fifth day, after ordering the pilgrims and tourists to leave the region.
India this week revoked Article 370, which gave occupied Kashmir an autonomous status and legislated to bifurcate the region into Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
In response to New Delhi’s move to annex occupied Kashmir, Pakistan on Wednesday resolved to downgrade diplomatic relations with India and suspend all bilateral trade.
India, however, has termed it an “internal matter” and asked Pakistan to review its decision. Meanwhile, a communications blackout and security clampdown imposed late Sunday in occupied Kashmir entered its fifth day on Friday. By Thursday, Indian security forces had arrested more than 500 people in the region.
