News

Indian FM expresses high optimism over relations with China

Indian Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid Wednesday expressed high optimism over the future of India-China relations saying both countries are now facing huge opportunities to carry out cooperation in bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

Topic Highlights

 Bilateral relations

 Regional issues

 Schedule of Premier Li Keqiang's visit to India

Commentary

 On "stand-off" along China-India borderline

Hua Chunying, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman
"We believe that China and India are wise and capable enough to handle the existing differences and problems while boosting friendly cooperation between the two countries…What is important is that the two sides should resolve the problems by friendly consultation through the mechanisms and related channels." 

"Maintaining peace and tranquility in the China-India border areas serves the common interests of both sides. China is ready to work with India to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question at an early date."

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
"It is a localized problem; we do believe it can be solved. We have a plan. We do not want to accentuate the situation."

Global Times editorial
The Indian government ought to clarify the so-called "intrusion" in a timely way and assume the responsibility of maintaining a good atmosphere. However, it hasn't done so. It has remained silent and ambiguous, which indulges Indian media habits. 

Rajeev Sharma, a New Delhi-based journalist-author and a strategic affairs analyst
The question is whether China is prepared to stay put in Depsang and risk souring of ties with India when the two neighbors need to collaborate more closely for peace and prosperity in the region? 

 On Indian Foreign Minister's visit to China

China Review News 
The Indian Foreign Minister's visit to China is a good opportunity for both countries to exchange thoughts and understanding on maritime security. Although Beijing has expressed a firm will to maintain its territory, China does not seek to challenge India's dominant presence in the Indian Ocean. 
Source: zhgpl.com

Chen Guangwen, military affairs commentator
The peaceful settlement over the China-India border issue is the fruit of effective negotiations and clear communication, and continued visits between the two nations will stand testament that recent border dispute did not impact China-India relations. 
Source：opinion.china.com.cn

Lü Ningsi, host of Phoenix TV
We can tell from Hua's wording and tone that China is expressing goodwill to India, well-timed for Premier Li's state visit. China's more immediate goal is to draw India away from Japan and prevent any move to contain China, while in the long-term establish peace in the region and economic development between our two emerging nations. 
Source: Phoenix TV

The Stand-off

 Map of disputed areas between China and India


Graphic: huanqiu.com - Globaltimes.cn

 Timeline

April 15	India said up to 50 Chinese soldiers "intruded" into its territory on the western rim of the Himalayas.
April 21	(Indian media reported) Two Chinese military helicopters entered Indian airspace and hovered over the area for quite some time, then returned after dropping some food cans, cigarette packets and notes written in Chinese, citing unidentified official sources. (The Press Trust of India reported)
April 22	China's Foreign Ministry rejected the claim, saying that Chinese frontier troops were patrolling on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and never crossed it.  More: Beijing dismisses New Delhi's complaints soldiers crossed border
April 23	Representatives from the two armies held a flag meeting in the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector in Ladakh (The Times of India reported).
April 24	China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that China's border troops have strictly observed relevant agreements between China and India. "The Chinese side has confined activities to within the Chinese border and never trespassed across the line."
April 25	China's Defense Ministry refuted foreign reports about Chinese border troops and military helicopters "intruding" across the line of actual control between India and China.   More: Defense ministry denies Chinese army's India trespass
April 27	India claimed a platoon of Chinese border troops "intruded" 19 kilometers across the line of actual control between the two countries. The Chinese troops reportedly set up five tents in the disputed area, and the Indian troops also established tented posts several hundred meters away. (A senior Indian army official told AFP)
May 5	Chinese and Indian border troops have simultaneously withdrawn from a disputed area in the western section of the border, concluding a three-week standoff.  More:  India agrees to some Chinese demands  China, India make progress on border standoff

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News Vocab

边境问题 biānjìng wèntí

border issue

中方愿同印方共同努力，争取早日达成一个公平合理和双方都能接受的边境问题解决方案。
source：fmprc.gov.cn

China is ready to work with India to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question as early as possible.