Beijing ready for another Wuhan despite differences

Beijing, April 19

China has said it is ready to hold a Wuhan-style summit with India this year to improve ties, notwithstanding the differences over the trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative in which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project.

Addressing a media conference here today ahead of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) being held on April 25-27 to showcase China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi urged India to shed its opposition to the $60 billion CPEC, saying it no way “undermined” the basic position on the Kashmir dispute.

Asked if India’s opposition to the BRI would undermine the new momentum generated by last year’s informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang said the two leaders had a very successful meeting at Wuhan city.

“Particularly they have established mutual trust between the leadership and they jointly planned for the future of improvement and strengthening of China-India relations.

“After the Wuhan summit, we see progress between the two countries and we have bright prospect for this relationship. We are now preparing for the next summit of our leaders,” he said without specifying any time line.

After the Wuhan summit hosted by China, the second summit will be held by India. President Xi plans to visit India for the 2nd informal summit after the General Election is over.

Pakistan and Nepal are among the countries whose leaders will take part in its 2nd BRF meeting. Sources said there was no official invitation from China to the Indian leadership or at the ministerial level for the meeting.

The CPEC, which has been officially designated as a flagship project of the BRI, has become a stumbling block for India to take part in it as the controversial project is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“We have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI, including the CPEC, is only an economic initiative and it does not target any third country,” he said. — PTI

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