China says willing to play role in easing ties

Beijing, August 22 

China on Wednesday said it is willing to play a “positive and constructive role” in easing relations between India and Pakistan as it welcomed the “positive” remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his new Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan on improving bilateral ties.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the improvement and development of relations between India and Pakistan are important to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

 “As a common neighbour to Pakistan and India, China firmly supports the two sides to enhance dialogue, increase mutual trust, properly handle and solve their differences,” Lu said.

China hopes the two countries can jointly stay committed to regional peace and development, he said. “China is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect.”

 Asked whether he is suggesting that China wants to mediate, Lu said, “I can’t give you a prejudgement now, telling you which aspect, what area, and what time China will do what things.  But it is clear that constructive role is any role that is conducive to advancing, consolidating and sustaining the positive momentum.” 

In June, the Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui, was quoted as saying that Sino-Indian ties cannot take the strain of “another” Doklam standoff. According to the reports, he had mooted a “trilateral” China-India-Pakistan dialogue, the MEA at that time had said that India has not received any such suggestion from China. — PTI