News Desk |
Beijing, on Friday, announced its support for Pakistan in the aftermath of India’s unlawful abolishment of Kashmir’s special constitutional right, urging the two neighbors to resolve the dispute peacefully, as dictated by the UN Charter, their bilateral agreement and the relevant UNSC resolutions.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held a conclusive meeting with the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, apprising him of Islamabad’s observation and position in the ongoing tensions. China has agreed to support Pakistan in the UN Security Council and will stand for justice in Kashmir.
https://twitter.com/PTIOfficialKSA/status/1159697278485094400
Foreign Minister Qureshi had arranged a meeting with his Chinese counterpart earlier on Thursday, in a bid to seek China’s support against India, in light of the escalating tensions across the region. Pakistan responded to India’s unilateral decision and forceful annexation of the dispute Jammu & Kashmir region by downgrading all diplomatic ties and suspending bilateral trade with New Delhi.
Read more: Revocation of Article 370: Violation of UNSC, Indian Constitution & Victory for RSS Ideology?
Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived in Beijing. He will meet State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi and other Chinese leaders. The visit was arranged in a very short time. That’s why we are called iron brothers. pic.twitter.com/RpFYD9Jbzh
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) August 9, 2019
China Supports Pakistan
Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, noted that Beijing is closely monitoring the situation and escalating tensions across Kashmir, and urged India and Pakistan to resolve the long-standing dispute “properly and peacefully.”
A press release issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry noted, “Wang Yi noted that China is seriously concerned about the latest escalation of tensions in Kashmir. The Kashmir issue is a dispute left from colonial history. It should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreement.”
Foreign Minister Qureshi had arranged a meeting with his Chinese counterpart earlier on Thursday, in a bid to seek China’s support against India, in light of the escalating tensions across the region.
This marks the first instance where Beijing has adopted a direct stance against India’s decision on Kashmir, earlier; the statements emanating from Beijing were only focused on China’s territorial dispute with India in the Ladakh region.
The press release continued, “China believes that unilateral actions that will complicate the situation should not be taken.”
Wang Yi stressed that Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic cooperative partners, and the two nations have “understood and supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests. This is a good tradition that should be cherished by the two sides.”
Read more: Mockery of Democracy: Indians Criticize Revocation of Article 370
Beijing has pledged its support to Pakistan, stating “China will continue to support Pakistan in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests and uphold justice for Pakistan on the international arena.”
The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi also noted, “Pakistan and India are both China’s friendly neighbors and major developing countries that are in a crucial stage of development. We call on the two sides to proceed from their national development and peace in South Asia, properly resolve historical grievances, get rid of the zero-sum mindset, avoid unilateral action and seek a new path to peaceful coexistence.”
All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners
Addressing the media after his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi thanked his Chinese counterpart and the Chinese President Xi Jinping for arranging the meeting at such short notice. He apprised the Chinese officials on Pakistan’s measures and observations in response to India’s unlawful actions in the disputed Himalayan territory.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Media Talk after Meeting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing China (09.08.19)#PTI @SMQureshiPTI pic.twitter.com/Yi04oUAlGh
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 9, 2019
The Foreign Minister said, “China has proved today that it is a reliable friend of Pakistan, and this friendship brings us pride. They (China) supported Pakistan’s point of view, and agreed with our observations on the unilateral decision that has altered the status of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The Kashmir issue is a dispute left from the colonial history.
Qureshi noted that his Chinese counterparts have agreed with the observation that this unilateral decision by India will disrupt regional peace. He stated that the Chinese foreign minister has stressed upon finding a peaceful solution, keeping in light the UNSC resolutions.
The Foreign Minister noted that he has shared Islamabad’s apprehension of heightened human rights violations and the possibility of a Pulwama-like false flag to divert attention from the abuses suffered by innocent Kashmiri protestors. Qureshi said, “China will support the decisions taken by the government of Pakistan, and will extend support for its decision to take the matter to the UN Security Council.”
Read more: In plain words: What are Articles 370 and 35-A?
Sharing his observations after the meeting on Twitter, Shah Mehmood Qureshi noted, “Today I had a strong and conclusive meeting with State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi. Pakistan shares a bond of brotherhood with China as further evidenced in the meeting today where China reassured Pakistan of its support and commitment.”
Today I had a strong and conclusive meeting with State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi. Pakistan shares a bond of brotherhood with China as further evidenced in the meeting today where China reassured Pakistan of it's support and commitment. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/TXysZnhOKq
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 9, 2019
Qureshi continued, “Foreign Minister Wang Yi has acknowledged that India’s aggressive stance on Kashmir leaves the people of Kashmir vulnerable and voiceless while also putting the entire region at risk.”
Foreign Minister Wang Yi has acknowledged that India’s aggressive stance on Kashmir leaves the people of Kashmir vulnerable and voiceless while also putting the entire region at risk. 2/3
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 9, 2019
The Foreign Minister concluded, “China supports Pakistan’s repeated calls for peace and stability and we will work together to highlight the voice of Kashmiris to the world.”
China supports Pakistan’s repeated calls for peace and stability and we will work together to highlight the voice of Kashmiris to the world. 3/3
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 9, 2019