China

Do not need intervention of third party, says China rejecting Trump’s offer of mediation on border dispute

File Photo.

Reacting for the first time to the US President’s offer, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the two countries did not want the “intervention” from a third party to resolve the military standoff, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

“Between China and India we have existing border-related mechanisms and communication channels,” Mr Zhao told reporters. “We are capable of properly resolving the issues between us through dialogue and consultation. We do not need the intervention of the third party,” he said.

Earlier, Ministry of External Affairs of India spokesperson Anurag Srivastava while briefing the media had said that both India and China are engaged at different levels to address tensions, but New Delhi will “make no compromises on sovereignty and national security”.

China and India have been locked in a standoff with each other in eastern Ladakh region, where the situation deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent fist-fight on the evening of May 5. The standoff spilled over to the next day before the two sides agreed to “disengage” following a meeting at the level of local commanders.

In the midst of the escalating tension, Army Chief General MM Naravane paid a quiet visit to the headquarters of 14 Corps in Leh on May 22 and reviewed with the top commanders the overall security scenario in the region including in the disputed areas along the LAC — the de-facto border between India and China.

China has also decided to evacuate its citizens in India.

Satellite images show massive construction activity at a high altitude Chinese air base, located just 200 kilometres away from the Pangong Lake, the site of the skirmish between forces of India and China on May 5 and May 6.

 

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