On Friday, Foreign Ministers of China and Pakistan held the 2nd annual strategic dialogue in Beijing, China, and issued a joint statement where the Chinese side reaffirmed its support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.
Both sides also discussed ways to enhance their overall bilateral ties, the Afghan peace process, the progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the research and development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The joint statement issued at the end of the 2nd annual strategic dialogue stated the Pakistani side briefing the Chinese side on “the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its concerns, position and current urgent issues”.
“The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history between India and Pakistan, which is an objective fact, and that the dispute should be resolved peacefully and properly through the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation,” the joint statement said.
The joint statement said that the two countries, China and Pakistan, believe a “peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia was in common interest of all parties”,
“Parties need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect,” the statement added.
According to the joint statement, China and Pakistan also “agreed on continuing their firm support on issues concerning each other’s core national interests”.
Although Indian officials made no immediate response to the joint statement from China and Pakistan, India has maintained that China has no standing in commenting on Jammu Kashmir.
India has continuously stated that Jammu Kashmir “has been, is and shall continue to be an integral part of India.”
Echoing similar statements, earlier this month, after China initiated a discussion in the UN Security Council on Jammu Kashmir, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, “As on such previous occasions, this attempt too met with little support from the international community. We firmly reject China’s interference in our internal affairs and urge it to draw proper conclusions from such infructuous attempts.”
According to the joint statement, China appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to the Afghan peace process and Pakistan appreciated China for safeguarding its national security and sovereignty as well as reiterated its support to China on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong.
China and Pakistan also agreed that they have “entered the new phase of high-quality development” under the USD 60 billion CPEC project and that it will play a major role in supporting Pakistan to battle the negative impacts of COVID-19 as well as achieve further development.
For long India has objected the CPEC project because it is being laid through Pakistan’s side of Kashmir.
It is important to mention that the 2nd annual strategic dialogue between China and Pakistan was held while Pakistan-Saudi Arabia tensions are on a rise.