BEIJING (Xinhua) – Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yisaid Beijing played a constructive role in defusing the recent tensionsbetween nuclear-armed neighbours, Pakistan and India.
“China has stressed from the beginning the need to exercise calm andrestraint and prevent escalation,” Wang said at a press conference on thesidelines of the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress.
“China hopes Pakistan and India will replace confrontation with dialogue,settle a disagreement by goodwill and create a better future throughcooperation.”
Responding to a question, Wang referred to Pakistan as “China’s ironbrother” and said that China welcomes the willingness expressed by the twocountries in recent days to de-escalate the situation and start talks.
He said Beijing suggested the two sides find out what happened and resolvethe matter through dialogue, while fully respecting each others’sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“China hopes the two countries, which are neighbours and heirs to anancient civilization, will get along, help each other and progresstogether,” Wang said.
“China also hopes Pakistan and India will transform the crisis intoopportunity and meet each other halfway,” Wang said. “We advise bothparties to quickly turn this page and seek a fundamental long-termimprovement in their relations.”
Wang’s comments came days after China’s Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyouvisited Islamabad. During the visit, which concluded on March 6, the seniorChinese official reiterated Beijing’s support to Pakistan for peace andstability in the region and also acknowledged Islamabad’s measures againstterrorism.
Kong also underscored that Pakistan and China are close friends andpartners, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
Read Top Stories
During his stay in Islamabad, he called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chiefof Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Foreign Minister ShahMehmood Qureshi. He also held talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjuaat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two countries reaffirmed their “time-tested and all-weather strategiccooperative partnership” during the meetings, said the FO statement, addingthat Islamabad thanked Beijing for its steadfast support.
The Chinese vice foreign minister was briefed on Pakistan’s efforts toresolve all issues with India through dialogue.
“China has paid close attention to the present situation between Pakistanand India, and appreciates Pakistan’s remaining calm and exercisingrestraint from the beginning, and persisting in pushing to lower thetemperature with India via dialogue,” the ministry paraphrased Kong assaying.
China maintains that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of allcountries should be respected and does not want to see “acts that violatethe norms of international relations”, Kong added.
“China calls on Pakistan and India to refrain from taking actions thataggravate the situation, show goodwill and flexibility, launch dialogue assoon as possible, and work together to maintain regional peace andstability,” he said.
