ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: While the White House came out for damage control following Saturday’s deadly Nato air raid in Pakistan’s tribal region, a “deeply shocked” China called for an investigation into the incident.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Obama believed the air strike that threw US-Pakistani ties into turmoil was “a tragedy,” adding that “we mourn those brave Pakistani service members that lost their lives.”
“We take this matter very seriously,” said Carney, adding that two inquiries by the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan and US Central Command would examine what took place.
“As for our relationship with Pakistan, it continues to be an important cooperative relationship that is also very complicated,” Carney said.
“It is very much in America’s national security interest to maintain a cooperative relationship with Pakistan because we have shared interests in the fight against terrorism,” he added.
China, on the other hand, expressed concerns over the air raid in Mohmand Agency that killed two dozen security personnel.
“China is deeply shocked at the incident and expresses strong concerns and deep condolences to the victims in Pakistan,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a news briefing.
“China believes that Pakistan’s independent sovereignty and territory should be respected and that this incident should be earnestly investigated and handled in a serious manner.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2011.
COMMENTS (26)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Our friendship is deeper than ocean but then trade and US$$$ are much more deeper.
And this, so soon after they were recovering from shock they were sent into by the Abbottabad abduction of the friend and confidante of both "sweeter than the honey" friends. After all, how much must a "true friend" suffer for "deeper than the oceans" friendship!
China is "Shocked", offers "condolences" and have said they will "examine" this. Where does it say China CONDEMNS Nato attack?. I must be missing something
China has called for an investigation. Tellingly, Pakistan won't consider this.
If TIBET was free, China and India would not have boundary issues. Something to work towards, don't you think ?
@Raj - USA: Could'nt have put it better !!! Chinese are not stupid and are perfectly aware of pakistan's situation and flaws too, it took them 2 days to make comment and that should sound alarm bells in Islamabad and GHQ, as to what happened to special relationship !!! Their response has been very mute !
I remember Dalai Lama once commenting: I do not talk much. I am not a Chinese !!!!!!
China's is under fire from India (backed by USA), Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and other countries.
You can't blame China for not providing enough support. They are probably ashamed to be associated with Pakistan and may be calculating in their minds the cost Vs. benefits of such association.
"all weather friend" china as a permanent member of the UN security council can atleast attempt to pass a resolution condeming this attack. Why are they not doing it? Oh..pakistani is not a Han and china,like most nations, cares a hoot about other countries.
China is Pak True Friend
Chinaa ! U R my true frend!!
Thanks China,Turkey & all our brotherly nations who have condemned these brutal killings...
There is no such thing as all weather friendship amongst countries only strategic alliance. China must have remebered that it needs Pakistan to sell its cheap ghatiya products and kill terrorists in Xinjiang and is now issuing a statement.
No China...dont worry it was a miscommunication...just ask ET
Our Deeper than Ocean, higher than mountains friend took just 2 days to condemn but we still dont know what they are planning to do? We got the same support like during the Kargil, Abbottabad, Drones, Raymond Davis..
lip service
China should offer asylum to all 'freedom fighters' of Af-Pak in its Xinjiang province
atleast someone is showing respect for Pakistan!
“China is deeply shocked by these events, and expresses strong concern for the victims and profound condolences to Pakistan,”
Yes, so are we !! Its all very sad too !! What took them so long to make such a lip service statement???? After all these are Pakistan's all weather friends !! perhaps it was bit too cold for comfort in Beijing !!!!
All weather friend can easily bring UN security council resolution against US, NATO for infringement against Pakistan territory .Will all weather friend do it , so they willl hurt a 2/3 of its trade relationship with west ? After all Pakistan is to China is what Israel to USA...well i didnt say that, Beijing said that..( to me, atleast Yankees keep their word, they defended Israel at every given situation to the hilt, so you see, words alone dont matter )...
ching chong ching , pakistan china zindabad
Again lip service ....That to after 3 days...
China is trying to cook its food on this burning issue.
Any attack on Pak is same as an attack on China. So, what's next?
Oh... my dear friend China I am ready for your embrace.
So now China will stop all trade with US and NATO countries till further notice.