BEIJING: China today said it is in touch with India and Pakistan through different channels to bring down tensions, asking them to properly deal with their differences and work jointly to maintain peace and security in the region.
“As for the tension between Pakistan and India, recently Chinese side has been in communication with both sides through different channels,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told media briefing here.
“We hope that Indian and Pakistan can enhance communication and properly deal with difference and work jointly to maintain peace and security of the region,” he said replying to questions whether the current tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad in the aftermath of Uri attack figured in the first anti-terrorism dialogue held between China and India here earlier this week.
Asked at what level China is in touch with both countries, Geng said China maintains frequent engagement at different levels with both India and Pakistan.
“China is friendly neighbor to India and Pakistan. China hopes that both the countries could properly deal with their differences dialogue and consultant and improve their bilateral relationship, strengthen cooperation in different fields and work jointly for regional peace and development and stability,” he said.
Geng also reacted guardedly to reports of cancellation of the next SAARC summit, which was scheduled to be held in Islamabad, following boycott by India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan.
“SAARC is an important mechanism to promote regional cooperation. China is an observer in SAARC. We have long been supporting the cooperation process. We hope to see the continuous development and contribution made by the association to peace and stability,” he said.
About Pakistan Special envoys on Kashmir who met China’s Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, Geng said Liu listened to the introduction made by the Pakistan delegation and told them that China is following the situation closely.
A foreign ministry press release here last night said China “attaches importance” to Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir but hoped that New Delhi and Islamabad resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation to “safeguard” peace and stability in the region.
Liu “emphasized that China pays attention to the recent situation in Kashmir and attaches importance to Pakistan’s relevant position”, the statement said.
“China believes that Kashmir issue is an issue left over from history and should be resolved by relevant parties through dialogue and consultation. China hopes that India and Pakistan can strengthen their communication and dialogue, properly handle differences, improve relations and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region,” it said.
The delegation was reportedly part of a move by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to send special envoys to brief foreign countries on the situation in Kashmir.
Significantly, the delegation had to meet the Chinese vice minister and not Foreign Minister Wang Yi.–PTI
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