China defends move to block listing of JeM operative as global terrorist, seeks India's support amid Taiwan row

Ambassador Sun Weidong insisted that the Taiwan issue was an "internal matter" to be resolved by the Chinese people. His stance on the ongoing border row at the Line of Actual Control however was somewhat different, contending that this boundary issue ​​between the neighbours was a "historical burden left by colonial rule" - wholly dissimilar from the Taiwan row.
Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong

Photo : ANI
New Delhi: Over the past few days, China has found itself in the centre of several geo-political concerns linked in different ways to India - from the boundary issue in Ladakh to a brewing conflict in Taiwan. Having moved to block India's bid to designate Abdul Rauf Asghar - one of the masterminds of the 1998 IC 814 hijacking - as a global terrorist, Beijing on Saturday said that it needs more time to 'carefully evaluate' the topic. These developments also come amid escalating tensions over a Chinese 'spy' ship's plan to dock at a Sri Lankan port next week.
During a freewheeling press conference in the national capital, Ambassador Sun Weidong insisted that the Taiwan issue was an "internal matter" to be resolved by the Chinese people. "My understanding is that India's 'One China' policy has not changed...We hope that India can reiterate support for the 'One China principle," he added.
His stance on the ongoing border row at the Line of Actual Control however was somewhat different, contending that this boundary issue between the neighbours was a "historical burden left by colonial rule" - wholly dissimilar from the Taiwan row.
"India and China have a boundary dispute, it is a fact. We believe that these issues are to be resolved through dialogue and consultation. We seek fair and mutually acceptable solution. Before that we should maintain peace and tranquility along the border. This is a boundary dispute. Not the kind of territorial dispute with China where other forces are trying to separate a part of China," Weidong said.
As many as 16 rounds of commander-level talks and disengagement has taken place at some friction points at the LAC amid reports of China building massive infrastructure in the border areas. India's External Affairs minister S Jaishankar has said that the border situation between India and China continues to remain tense and the relationship cannot be normal until the situation eases.
While Chinese president Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Uzbekistan next month for the SCO meet, there has been no confirmation that the two leaders will hold a meeting.
India and the United States wanted Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar to be designated as an international terrorist at the UN Security Council. However China, a permanent veto-wielding member and a close ally of Pakistan has stalled the move. According to Weidong, the country needs more time to analyse the listing application.
"China takes part in the work of committees in a constructive and responsible manner, according to the committee rules and procedures. Members of the committee can put on hold terrorist designation listing, this is a common practice...China is willing to work with all the countries in the world to combat the menace of international terrorism," the Chinese envoy said.
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