Promotion of CPEC does not change Beijing’s position on Kashmir: China

'CPEC, Kashmir two different things. Pakistan,India should address Kashmir issue through dialogue', Geng Shuang

BEIJING: China has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is making steady progress and has entered a stage of comprehensive implementation.

Speaking during a regular press conference on May 9, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Geng Shuang, revealed that China and Pakistan have planned 17 priority projects in the field of energy, 11 of which have started construction.



“Most of the projects will be completed by the end of 2019, which will significantly ease the energy shortage in Pakistan and deliver great benefits to the people,” he said.

Responding to a question, the spokesperson said, China’s promotion of CPEC framework has not changed its position on the issue of Kashmir.

Shuang said, “For CPEC, we have stressed many times that it is an economic cooperation initiative. China's active participation in and promotion of CPEC does not mean that we change our position on the relevant issue.”

“They [CPEC and Kashmir] are two different things. As we have emphasised time and again that the Kashmir issue is one left over from history between India and Pakistan. We hope both sides can properly address the issue through dialogue and consultation,” he stressed.

With regards to India’s participation in the upcoming Belt and Road forum, the Chinese spokesperson said, “As far as I know, there are Indian scholars applying to attend the high-level meetings during the forum. All the participants are our guests, and as the organiser and host, China will show our warm hospitality to them and all the other distinguished foreign guests.”



On May 5, Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaouhi spoke to an audience at an Indian think tank – the United Services Institute, where he called upon India to join its One-Belt One-Road (OBOR) project.

The Chinese embassy released his remarks on Monday in which Zhaohui said, “I’m from China, a neighbour of India. Our two countries have thousands of years of friendship and practical common interests, and sometimes, differences and grievances.”