China on Tuesday avoided making any direct comment over Pakistan’s latest Gilgit-Baltistan order, but added that CPEC, which goes through the region, will not affect their stand on Kashmir issue that it should be resolved between India and Pakistan.
The move drew strong reaction from New Delhi which said the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, which also includes the ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’ areas, is an “integral part of India by virtue of its accession in 1947.” However Pakistan rejected India’s protest.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing that “Kashmir issue is a historical baggage between India and Pakistan and therefore shall be resolved between the two sides through dialogue and consultation”.