China makes Arunachal protest public

BEIJING: China made it public on Thursday that it had expressed concern to India over prime minister Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh but maintained that the two countries would continue with negotiations to resolve outstanding issues.

“Regarding Mr Singh’s visit to that area (Arunachal), we have expressed our concern. Our position (on the issue) is clear,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

He, however, added, “We hope that China and India will continue with consultations and negotiations which is good for peace and stability of the region. I believe both China and India are aware of this.”

Stirring up a fresh controversy close on the heels of the bonhomie generated between the two countries, particularly after Singh’s visit to Beijing, China had conveyed an oral protest to India over his assertion that Arunachal Pradesh was “our land of rising sun”. It was conveyed at the lower levels in the Indian mission here.

Singh’s remarks were seen as a clear message to China which claims major parts of Arunachal Pradesh as its territory. China had told India that it was not proper to make such comments when the two countries were engaged in talks over the boundary row.

China’s protest was dismissed by external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee.