ID :
9333
Wed, 06/04/2008 - 11:53
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https://oananews.org//node/9333
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China seeks "reasonable" solution to boundary issue with India
Beijing, Jun 4 (PTI) - Ahead of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit, China Tuesday said the two countries do not see each other as a threat and sought a "fair,reasonable and acceptable" solution to the boundary issue.
Describing as "important" Mukherjee's four-day visit to China beginning Wednesday, Beijing said both sides attach great importance to it and they would exchange views on a "series of issues," including the boundary row on which itsaid discussions had made "some progress" in recent years.
"The two sides have reached a consensus which is that both are important neighbours and partners to each other. The two countries will not regard each other as a threat," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular bi-weeklymedia briefing here.
Mukherjee's visit to China is the first by an External Affairs Minister since 2002 when Jaswant Singh was in the country and also a maiden one for him ever since he assumed office in his present role. He will arrive Wednesday at Guanzhou where he will inaugurate the Consulate General ofIndia on June five before reaching Beijing the same day.
Embarking on the visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, Mukherjee would also hold talks withPremier Wen Jiabao and other Chinese leaders.
"The two sides attach great importance to his visit. We will exchange views on bilateral relations as well as other issues of mutual interest," Qin said. Both sides would discuss a "series of issues concerning bilateral relations," he said and added "I think the boundary is included." Qin said China and India have the Special Representative mechanism on the boundary issue and "in recent years, the discussion has made some progress, including the political principles. The two sides have reached consensus on those principles." Guided by the political principles, the Special Representatives had conducted 11 rounds of talks altogether, he said, adding "now the countries have to have discussions on the framework for a solution of the issue." China, he said, would continue to follow the political guiding principles and the dialogue in this regard to reach a solution that is "fair, reasonable and acceptable to the two countries." "During the process, we will try to maintain tranquility and stability of the boundary region to avoid disruption, forthe sound development of China-India relations," he said.
Asked about India reopening an air base in the mountainous Ladakh region close to the Chinese-occupied Aksai Chin area last week 43 years after it was closed, Qin said, "I am not aware of the specifics of the report." He said not long ago (in January), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited China which was "quite successful" and was one of the frequent high-level exchanges between the twocountries in the past few years.
"We hope the relations between the two countries can develop. Constantly, the two countries can build up trust and expand cooperation and exchanges," he said, adding, that a stable, developing bilateral relationship served not only theinterests of the two countries but also of the two peoples.
"It will also benefit peace and stability in the region.
I believe our Indian friends understand this. This is not only the consensus between the leaders of the two countries but also the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries." - PTI
Describing as "important" Mukherjee's four-day visit to China beginning Wednesday, Beijing said both sides attach great importance to it and they would exchange views on a "series of issues," including the boundary row on which itsaid discussions had made "some progress" in recent years.
"The two sides have reached a consensus which is that both are important neighbours and partners to each other. The two countries will not regard each other as a threat," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular bi-weeklymedia briefing here.
Mukherjee's visit to China is the first by an External Affairs Minister since 2002 when Jaswant Singh was in the country and also a maiden one for him ever since he assumed office in his present role. He will arrive Wednesday at Guanzhou where he will inaugurate the Consulate General ofIndia on June five before reaching Beijing the same day.
Embarking on the visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, Mukherjee would also hold talks withPremier Wen Jiabao and other Chinese leaders.
"The two sides attach great importance to his visit. We will exchange views on bilateral relations as well as other issues of mutual interest," Qin said. Both sides would discuss a "series of issues concerning bilateral relations," he said and added "I think the boundary is included." Qin said China and India have the Special Representative mechanism on the boundary issue and "in recent years, the discussion has made some progress, including the political principles. The two sides have reached consensus on those principles." Guided by the political principles, the Special Representatives had conducted 11 rounds of talks altogether, he said, adding "now the countries have to have discussions on the framework for a solution of the issue." China, he said, would continue to follow the political guiding principles and the dialogue in this regard to reach a solution that is "fair, reasonable and acceptable to the two countries." "During the process, we will try to maintain tranquility and stability of the boundary region to avoid disruption, forthe sound development of China-India relations," he said.
Asked about India reopening an air base in the mountainous Ladakh region close to the Chinese-occupied Aksai Chin area last week 43 years after it was closed, Qin said, "I am not aware of the specifics of the report." He said not long ago (in January), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited China which was "quite successful" and was one of the frequent high-level exchanges between the twocountries in the past few years.
"We hope the relations between the two countries can develop. Constantly, the two countries can build up trust and expand cooperation and exchanges," he said, adding, that a stable, developing bilateral relationship served not only theinterests of the two countries but also of the two peoples.
"It will also benefit peace and stability in the region.
I believe our Indian friends understand this. This is not only the consensus between the leaders of the two countries but also the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries." - PTI
