BEIJING: China defended the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Wednesday when inquired about the Indian premier’s comments about connectivity and sovereignty and issues with CPEC.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying clarified that the project targets no third country and it would not be affecting China’s stance on the Kashmir issue.
“Prime Minister Modi did not direct his comments on the CPEC,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.
“CPEC is a venture devised for cooperation in various fields and long term development” he said.
It is of great significance in regional connectivity and trade cooperation and is being established for regional peace and provision of development opportunities.” the spokesperson said.
China has reminded India that its “purely commercial” projects were “without discrimination” upon its views on the disputed status of Occupied Kashmir citing it as an issue for India and Pakistan to resolve jointly.
Although India, has pointed out China’s objections of exploration projects in the controversial South China Sea suggesting that they applied different standards on that issue.
“connectivity in itself cannot override or undermine the sovereignty of other nation and only by respecting the sovereignty of countries involved, can regional corridors fulfill their promise and avoid issues” Modi said, in remarks understood by analysts as criticism of Chinese connectivity projects.
India isn’t among the list of countries that have sanctioned the project because China is building an economic corridor to Pakistan through the disputed ‘Pakistan Occupied’ Kashmir.
The Indian PM was largely positive about future ties with China, emphasising the fact that naturally, differences exist between two large neighboring nations.
This sentiment was expressed by Beijing on Wednesday as well, as Hua said that according to China’s view “for the management of our relationship with India for peace and progress in the region, both our countries need to be sensitive and respect each others prime concerns and issues.
In this process China has been committed to respect the core interests and is trying to develop a mutual understanding, resulting in the resolution of all problems and issues she said.
