CHINA-INDIA: PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT
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Below are the replies by the spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defence to questions posed at the regular press briefing by in Beijing on April 30, 2015 Question: The Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, is expected to visit China next month. There are several issues that have been discussed between China and India in the recent past. My first question is that during every bilateral VIP visit between China and India in the recent past, whether it was Prime Minister Li Keqiang’s visit in 2013 or President Xi Jinping’s visit last year, there were problems at the border. There were aggressive patrolling resulting in tensions, overshadowing the visits. There are apprehensions that such an incident may take place this time, too. How would China’s military, especially the PLA, look at this kind of apprehensions?
Secondly, the border issue, the differences are expected to come up during the talks. There are efforts to demarcate the line of actual control on the border that was from India’s point of view. Can we see some progress on that front during this particular visit? And how the PLA or the Ministry of National Defense looks at this particular proposal from India?
Thirdly, I just would like to know that during the recent talks, during the visit of a high profile military delegation from India, reports said that General Sun Jianguo, the deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese PLA, has proposed that military officers on either side should attend courses held by specialized military training academies. So, has this proposal been discussed that the training of officers in each other’s academies is being looked at by the two militaries?
And also there are reports from Indian media saying that during the recent strategic defense dialogue, China has accepted to host the chief of India’s Northern Military Command on a visit here. Could you confirm that?
Answer: On your first question, to maintain peace and tranquility in the China-Indian border area is in the common interests of both countries and is also the common aspiration of the people of the two countries. The Chinese border defense troops always strictly abide by the agreements reached by the two governments and are committed to safeguarding peace and stability along the border area. Through the border defense meeting mechanism, border defense troops of both China and India have conducted close coordination and consultation with each other. And we are willing to work together with the Indian side to strengthen the dialogue, exchange and cooperation in various fields and push forward mil-to-mil relationship.
On your second question, the China-Indian boundary issue is a problem left over from history. The governments of the two countries are conducting dialogue and negotiations on resolving this issue. Before the final settlement of the boundary issue, joining hands to maintain peace and tranquility in areas along the China-Indian border is the important consensus reached by both side. The Chinese defense troops have always been strictly abiding by the agreements reached by the two governments, and we hoped the Indian side can meet China half way.
On your third question, the 7th China-India Defense and Security Consultation was held in China on April 10th. The meeting was presided over by Deputy Chief of the General Staff, General Sun Jianguo from the Chinese side, and Indian Defense Secretary Mr. Mathur. During the dialogue, both sides exchanged views on regional security issues, relations between the two countries and the two militaries, and other issues of common concern. The consensus that came out of the meeting was that such a dialogue mechanism has played a positive role in enhancing the mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries and the two militaries. To maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas is in the interests of both sides. And in principle, the two sides have agreed that exchanges between the two navies and the two air forces will be strengthened.
Here I’d like to make an additional comment. The militaries of China and India will have a lot of important exchanges and cooperation this year. For example, senior leaders of the two militaries will exchange visits and there will be meetings and cooperation between the border defense troops of the two sides to ensure peace and tranquility along the China-Indian border. And the 5th China-India joint army training will be held this year. These exchanges will be very important for enhancing strategic mutual trust between the two countries and will inject more positive elements into the bilateral relationship.
On your fourth question, China has consistent and clear stance on the issue of Kashmir. And on the specific arrangements of border defense exchanges, discussions between the two sides are still going on.
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