China averse to India holding G-20 moot in IIOJK

Spokesperson says relevant parties should avoid complicating the situation with unilateral move

BEIJING:

China opposed the Indian plan of holding the G-20 meeting in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ) and called on the group member on Thursday to focus on economic recovery and avoid politicising the relevant issue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told his regular briefing that Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India should be properly resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements.

“China’s position on Kashmir is consistent and clear cut. It is a legacy issue between India and Pakistan,” Zhao said, while responding to a question. “Relevant parties should avoid complicating the situation with the unilateral move,” he added.

According to the Indian media, New Delhi planned to host the 2023 meetings of the G-20 in IIOJK and its Ministry of External Affairs had already issued directives to the local authorities to ensure necessary arrangements.

Read Islamabad rejects Delhi’s plan to hold G-20 summit in IIOJK

Pakistan has already rejected India’s unilateral attempt to hold the G-20 meeting in IIOJK, reiterating that the region was under New Delhi’s forcible and illegal occupation. Zhao stressed the need for addressing the disputes through dialogue and consultations.

He remarked that G-20 was a premier forum for international economic cooperation. He called on the relevant sides to focus on economic recovery and avoid politicising the issue so as to make positive contribution to improving the global economic governance.

Responding to another question, Spokesperson Zhao said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) work in the region was completely different from holding the G-20 meeting in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

“China has undertaken projects to help Pakistan to grow its economy and improve livelihood,” he said. “That doesn’t mean our position on Kashmir is changed. I have already elaborated on our stern position on Kashmir.”

When asked whether China would attend the meeting, the foreign minister spokesperson said the Chinese side would look into that.