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China opposed Indian decision to alter the status of occupied Kashmir and cautioned New Delhi against the inclusion of the Chinese territory in the western sector, adjacent to Ladakh, which has been declared a Union Territory.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Hua Chunying stated, “China is opposed to India’s inclusion of Chinese territory in western sector of China-India boundary into its administrative jurisdiction.”
1/3 Q: Indian government announced Ladakh as Union Territory, where there is western sector of China-India boundary. What's your comment?
A: China is opposed to India's inclusion of Chinese territory in western sector of China-India boundary into its administrative jurisdiction.— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) August 6, 2019
Hua Chunying continued, “This firm and consistent position remains unchanged. Recently India has continued to undermine China’s territorial sovereignty by unilaterally changing its domestic law. Such practice is unacceptable and will not come into force.”
2/3 This firm and consistent position remains unchanged. Recently India has continued to undermine China's territorial sovereignty by unilaterally changing its domestic law. Such practice is unacceptable and will not come into force.
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) August 6, 2019
China cautions India
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson cautioned New Delhi, “We urge India to exercise prudence in words and deeds concerning the boundary question, strictly abide by relevant agreements concluded between the two sides and avoid taking any move that may further complicate the boundary question.”
3/3 We urge India to exercise prudence in words and deeds concerning the boundary question, strictly abide by relevant agreements concluded between the two sides and avoid taking any move that may further complicate the boundary question.
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) August 6, 2019
In a bid to forcefully tighten its occupation on the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Indian government abolished the Articles 370 and 35-A, which provided a special constitutional status to the occupied state. After the constitutional provision was scraped away on Monday, Kashmir is no longer allowed to establish its own laws, paving the way for the Modi-Doval strategy of altering the demographics of the Muslim-majority state.
China is opposed to India’s inclusion of Chinese territory in western sector of China-India boundary into its administrative jurisdiction.
This revocation of Kashmir’s constitutional status is a significant blow to the freedom struggle, which intensified in the last three decades, particularly during the rule of the BJP, which endorsed a hardened stance against separatists. The BJP-RSS government has also divided Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh into two separate federally administered territories.
China has cautioned New Delhi to exercise prudence and be cautious regarding border issues, particularly those that overlook Beijing’s territorial rights. Hua Chunying noted that India’s decision to scrape away Kashmir’s constitutional status and alter the status of the disputed territories through its domestic laws is “unacceptable” and does “not have any legal effect.”
Responding to a question on India’s abolition of Kashmir’s special status, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson noted, “China is seriously concerned about the current situation in Jammu Kashmir.”
China opposes #India putting Chinese territory in the western section of the border under its administration, which affects China's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is "unacceptable and void:" FM (File photo: VCG) #Ladakh pic.twitter.com/enlX4YAV9v
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 6, 2019
Hua Chunying added, “China’s position on the Kashmir issue is clear and consistent. It is also an international consensus that the Kashmir issue is an issue left from the past between India and Pakistan. The relevant sides need to exercise restraint and act prudently.” China has called on both India and Pakistan to resolve the dispute through consultation and dialogue, and prioritize the stability of the region.
Indian abolished the Articles 370 and 35-A, which provided a special constitutional status to the occupied state.
The spokesperson concluded, “In particular, they should refrain from taking actions that will unilaterally change the status quo and escalate tensions. We call on both India and Pakistan to peacefully resolve the relevant disputes through dialogue and consultation and safeguard peace and stability in the region.”
China has urged India to strictly abide by the territorial agreements reached between New Delhi and Beijing and avoid taking any actions that would complicate the border conflict.
Read more: In plain words: What are Articles 370 and 35-A?
China-India Territorial Dispute
China controls a sparsely populated high-altitude territory towards Aksai Chin in the north, while India controls the densely populated Kashmir city and the Hindu region surrounding Jammu. The territory of Azad Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan. For decades, China and India have indulged in a territorial conflict over the northern border, including the high-altitude region of Ladakh.
China opposes #India putting Chinese territory in the western section of the border under its administration, which affects China's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is "unacceptable and void:" FM (File photo: VCG) #Ladakh pic.twitter.com/enlX4YAV9v
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 6, 2019
Beijing has opposed the Indian decision to abolish the special constitutional status of the occupied Himalayan valley as it is a direct attack at the territorial sovereignty of China. The Buddhist region of Ladakh has always held immense geo-strategic importance for China given its strategic location between Pakistan and Tibet.
China has urged India to strictly abide by the territorial agreements reached between New Delhi and Beijing and avoid taking any actions that would complicate the border conflict.
India and China’s years-long dispute over a remote Himalayan region has flared up into a border confrontation two years ago, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda to forcefully seize the territory of Kashmir is all set to incite clashes once again.
Read more: Mockery of Democracy: Indians Criticize Revocation of Article 370
New Delhi has responded to Chinese apprehensions by terming the abolishment of the constitutional liberations of Jammu & Kashmir as an “internal matter”. New Delhi has stated that the designation of Ladakh as a Union Territory is “an internal matter concerning the territory of India.”
JUST IN: India reacts on China Statement on Article 370 and UT Bill in Parliament: ‘It is an internal matter concerning the territory of India. India does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and similarly expects other countries to do likewise.’ pic.twitter.com/NPxbgS0jkL
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 6, 2019
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “India does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and similarly expects other countries to do likewise.”
Raveesh Kumar concluded that both India and China had committed to maintaining “peace and tranquillity in the border areas.”