China says capable of resolving issues with India through dialogue

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 27

China sought to dial down tensions on the line of actual control (LAC) and continued quiet diplomacy with India even as US President Donald Trump unexpectedly offered to be the peacemaker.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing as well as the Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidung underlined the need for constant communication to resolve differences.

“Between the two countries, we have good border-related mechanism and communication channels. We are capable of resolving the issues properly through dialogue and consultation,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian while confirming that quiet diplomacy, away from public glare, was on to defuse the border tensions. “This includes the communication between border troops and between our diplomatic missions,” he explained.

At the same time, Zhao indicated tough bargaining in the days ahead by reiterating China’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and security.

There was a flutter in the strategic community when Trump sought to insert himself as the peacemaker days after Alice Wells, his top diplomat for the region, had done the opposite by accusing China of causing problems from the land border with India to the South China Sea.

“We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!” tweeted Trump. There was no response from the Indian and Chinese governments.

Speaking in a different context, the Chinese Ambassador said India and China must never let the differences shadow the overall situation of bilateral cooperation. “China and India should be good neighbours of harmonious coexistence and good partners to move forward hand in hand,” he said while addressing a videoconferencing.

“We should adhere to the basic judgment that China and India are each other’s opportunities and pose no threat to each other,” he emphasised.