China says its personnel in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir not a threat
Their activities in PoK are focused on the local people's livelihood, China's foreign ministry says
Beijing: China on Tuesday defended the presence of its personnel in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying they were not aimed against any country but were only involved in “cooperative activities" to improve the livelihood of local people.
Reacting to Indian defence minister Arun Jaitley’s comments in Parliament that India has conveyed its concerns to China about the presence of Chinese personnel in PoK, the Chinese foreign ministry said the Kashmir issue is a leftover from history and that it should be resolved between India and Pakistan.
“China’s relevant cooperative activities in Pakistan administered Kashmir are entirely focused on the local people’s livelihood and not targeted at any third party," the ministry said in an exclusive response to a question from PTI.
China is actively pursuing plans with Pakistan to build an economic corridor connecting its Xinjiang and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port via PoK. The multi-billion project involves highways, rail and pipelines.
“As a neighbour and friend of India and Pakistan, China advocates that the Kashmir issue should be properly resolved through dialogue and consultations between India and Pakistan," the Chinese foreign ministry said.
Jaitley had told the Lok Sabha that the government keeps an eye on the Chinese presence in PoK and has asked China to “cease such activities" there.
He said issues are discussed by the government in regular meetings with Chinese counterparts and that the “entire gamut of bilateral, regional and global issues are discussed".
Chinese troops have been spotted in PoK in recent times and the Indian Army estimates they number around 5,000. They were mainly involved in construction activities there. PTI
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