NEW DELHI – The Indian army’s statement admitting that its troopspre-empted the Chinese military activity fully proves that it was the firstto illegally cross the border in an act of provocation, the first tounilaterally change the status quo in the border area and the first toviolate the important consensus reached by the two sides, the Chineseforeign ministry said on Wednesday.
Since the beginning of this year, the Indian side has repeatedly violatedbilateral agreements and the important consensus on the western section ofthe China-India border, unilaterally changed the status quo by force,undermined peace and stability in the border area and caused tensions inthe border area.
“The responsibility rests entirely with the Indian side. China hasexercised great restraint to prevent the situation from escalating,”Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at Wednesday’smedia briefing.
Hua said the two sides are maintaining communication through military anddiplomatic channels.
China urged the Indian side to strictly restrain its front-line troops,immediately stop all provocative actions, immediately withdraw allpersonnel who have illegally crossed the line and immediately stop anyactions that may cause tension and complicate the situation, Hua said.
Indian troops once again illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control nearthe south bank of the Pangong Tso Lake and near the Reqin Mountain onMonday. Earlier in the day, India, which first moved to accuse China ofcarrying out “provocative military movements,” said it had preemptedChinese military activity.
“Indian troops preempted this PLA activity on the southern bank of PangongTso lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chineseintentions to unilaterally change facts on ground,” the Indian Army said inits statement.
We hope that India will work with China to earnestly implement theimportant consensus reached by the two sides and make concrete efforts tosafeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, Hua said.