China once again calls for peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute

China on Friday once again called for the resolution of the occupied Kashmir dispute according to the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and bilateral treaties and in a peaceful way, reported The News on Saturday.

The remarks were passed by a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson to a series of questions asked by Indian journalists at a press briefing held in Beijing.  The spokesperson said Beijing wanted to play a constructive role and was in contact with both India and Pakistan

The spokesman said China actively participated in UNSC review of Kashmir issue because it wanted to work for de-escalation and regional peace and stability purely out of goodwill, calling both the countries to continue with talks, exercise restraint and work on de-escalation.

Also read: India backtracking on Kashmir talks, Pakistan remains committed: FM Qureshi

“But if the Indian side interprets the other way then this could be over interpretation,” said the spokesperson. “On January 15, the UNSC reviewed Kashmir. During the review process most UNSC members expressed concerns over the current situation and called for restraint."

"They stressed this issue should be settled in a peaceful and political way through dialogue. Russia is an important member of the UNSC and its position has been fully expressed and reflected. As I understand this is what happened in discussion in New York (UNSC),” said the spokesman.

Responding to a question from a Times of India correspondent, the spokesman said, “China’s position on Kashmir issue is consistent and clear. This issue is a dispute left from history and it should be properly resolved following the UN Charter, through relevant resolutions."

Also read: UNSC meets behind closed doors for second time to discuss crisis in occupied Kashmir

"And as requested by Pakistan, the UNSC reviewed the Kashmir issue on January 15 and was briefed by the UN Secretariat and UNSC members are concerned about the current situation in Kashmir and they called on relevant parties to observe the UN Charter," the spokesperson said.

He added that both countries needed to respect international law, and resolve the dispute peacefully through political dialogue, and exercise restraint and work for de-escalation. 

The spokesperson also said that the Kashmir issue had always been on the UNSC agenda, and that the body should pay attention to the situation in the IoK based on the latest developmenst, and the review in the UNSC will help de-escalate tensions and lead to a proper settlement.

Originally published in The News