As Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with Xi Jinping ahead of the Chinese President's important visit to India, China said the Kashmir issue should be resolved between New Delhi and Islamabad, significantly omitting its recent references to the UN and UN Security Council resolutions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang during his media briefing on Tuesday did not make any official announcement about Xi's visit to India.
However, Chinese officials informally said an announcement would be made simultaneously in Beijing and New Delhi on Wednesday.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has also called for a special media briefing on Wednesday on "Chinese leader's outbound visit".
CHINA’S POSITIVE APPROACH
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- Chinese envoy said both India and China should go beyond the model of “management of differences” and work towards actively shaping bilateral relations through accumulation of positive energy and forging greater cooperation for common development
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"India and China have a tradition of high-level exchanges. Both sides have communication exchange over high-level visit. Any new information will be released soon," Geng said in response to questions on Xi's visit to India.
When asked about Imran Khan's visit to Beijing ahead of Xi's trip to India and whether the Kashmir issue will figure in his talks with the Chinese leaders, Geng said that China' stand is that the Kashmir issue should be resolved between India and Pakistan.
"And so you are paying attention to the Kashmir issue, right? China's position on Kashmir issue is clear and consistent", he said.
"We call on India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue and consultation on all issues including Kashmir issue and consolidate mutual trust. This is in line with interest of both countries and common aspiration of the world," he said.
His comments marked a significant shift on what China has been saying on Jammu and Kashmir in recent weeks in the aftermath of India's move to revoke the state's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution.
In its first reaction on August 6, the Chinese foreign ministry issued two separate statements.
In another statement, China also expressed its opposition to India's move to create a separate Union Territory of Ladakh highlighting Beijing's territorial claims in the area.
The second statement said, "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".
Geng's comments on Tuesday marks China's return to its original stand that Kashmir issue should be resolved bilaterally.
Observers say it is significant shift ahead of Xi's visit to India for his second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Enumerating the outcomes of last year's landmark informal summit in Wuhan, the Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said that the mutual trust and friendship between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now being extended to all sectors.
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