BEIJING – China voiced its “firm opposition” on Thursday to the visit of PMModi to Arunachal Pradesh which it claims as part of South Tibet and saidit would lodge a diplomatic protest with India.

“China’s position on the China-India boundary question is consistent andclear-cut,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang.

“The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called ArunachalPradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader’s visit to the disputedarea,” Geng was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.

“We will lodge stern representations with the Indian side,” he said.

Geng said that China and India had reached important consensus on properlymanaging disputes, and the two sides were working to resolve theterritorial disputes through negotiation and consultation.

“The Chinese side urges the Indian side to honour its commitment and abideby the relevant consensus, and refrain from taking any action that maycomplicate the boundary question,” Geng said.

He urged India to cherish the hard-won momentum of improvements inbilateral relations and create enabling conditions for the boundary talksand the development of bilateral relations.

China routinely protest visits of Indian leaders to Arunachal Pradesh andreiterates its claims over it. – PTI