China played “constructive role†in defusing tension between neighouring India and Pakistan: Minister
Beijing, Mar 9 (IBNS): China has said it has played a “constructive role” in defusing the tension between neighouring India and Pakistan following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama area which left at least 40 Indian paramilitary forces personnel killed last month.
As per the South China Morning Post, on the sidelines of the annual National People’s Congress legislative meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that New Delhi and Islamabad should “meet each other halfway” to de-escalate the crisis, portraying China’s role as a balancing act between its nuclear-armed neighbours.
“China has stressed from the beginning the need to exercise calm and restraint, prevent an escalation, find out what has happened, and resolve the matter through dialogue,” Wang was quoted as saying by the news paper.
"China hopes that Pakistan and India will transform the crisis into an opportunity and meet each other halfway,” he said. “We advise both parties to quickly turn this page and seek fundamental, long-term improvement in their relations," he said.
Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou visits Pakistan
On March 6, 2019, Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou visited Pakistan.
"During his stay in Pakistan, Kong Xuanyou met respectively with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa and Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan and held talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua of Pakistan. Both sides mainly exchanged in-depth views on the current situation between Pakistan and India as well as other relevant issues," read a statement issued by the Chinese government.
