China
Learn from Doklam, China army tells India
Beijing: China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has asked India to draw lessons from the Doklam stand-off, which was defused after both sides decided to retreat from a prolonged face-off in the Sikkim sector.
Wu Qian, a senior PLA colonel, in a statement said: “The Chinese military will remain vigilant and firmly defend its national territory and sovereignty following the military stand-off between China and India.”
“Peace and stability along the China-India border concern regional peace and stability and accords with the common interests of people on both sides of the border,” a statement quoted Wu as saying.
“We remind India to draw lessons from the stand-off, abide by established treaties and the basic principles of international law, and work together with China to safeguard peace and stability along the border and promote the healthy development of the two militaries,” Wu added.
India yesterday made it clear that both sides were withdrawing their soldiers; China said that in response to India’s action, “in accordance with the changes of the situation on the ground, China will make necessary adjustments and deployment in accordance with those changes.”
Indian sources said China had removed bulldozers and other road-making equipment, indicating that Beijing had agreed to stop plans for a new road that triggered the crisis.
When Chinese soldiers began building the road in mid-June, Indians troops intervened to stop them because the road would give Beijing access to a strategic wedge of land that links mainland India to its northeastern region. Enraged, China said it had every right to build a road on its territory, but India backed Bhutan in claiming that the region in fact belongs to the tiny Himalayan kingdom.
China resorted to daily reprimands and warnings with high-pitched rhetoric. India said only that it would engage in diplomatic dialogue.
The resolution to the Doklam stand-off comes ahead of a summit of the BRICS nations – a grouping that also includes Brazil, Russia and South Africa – in China beginning on Sunday, which PM Modi is expected to attend.
