China has announced it will “uphold justice for Pakistan on
the international arena” and that it supports Pakistan’s decision to
approach the United Nations Security Council in the wake of India’s decision
to revoke Kashmir’s special status.
The
foreign ministers of both countries held an urgent meeting in Beijing on Friday
to discuss the current situation in occupied Kashmir following the move made by
India earlier this week.
A
statement released by China’s foreign ministry, said that it will
“continue to support Pakistan in safeguarding its legitimate rights and
interests”.
According
to the statement, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted that China is
“seriously concerned about the latest escalation of tensions in
Kashmir”.
China
also believes that unilateral actions “will complicate the situation”
and should not be taken.
It called
on Pakistan and India to “properly resolve historical grievances, get rid
of the zero-sum mindset, avoid unilateral action and seek a new path to
peaceful coexistence”.
China
recognises that the Kashmir dispute must be properly resolved “based on
the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral
agreement”, said the statement.
Explainer: What
India’s change to occupied Kashmir’s status means
Following
the meeting, in a video statement, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said
that he had held a two-and-a-half hour long meeting with FM Yi.
Qureshi
said that FM Yi had remarked that the meeting had been “a very beneficial
and timely” one.
He said
that FM Yi had told him that despite a busy schedule and the short notice, he
was holding the meeting on the instructions of President Xi Jinping because
“the nature of the relationship between Pakistan and China is different
and the response level should also be different”.
Chinese and Pakistani delegations
pictured during a meeting held to discuss the escalating situation in occupied
Kashmir. — Photo courtesy Shah Mahmood Qureshi Official Facebook
“I
am happy to share that I presented Pakistan’s point of view and its concerns
surrounding India’s recent measures on occupied Kashmir,” said Qureshi in
the video statement.
“China
once more proved itself to be a trustworthy friend,” he said, adding,
“China completely supported Pakistan’s stance on the matter.”
He went
on to say that China agreed with Pakistan that India’s actions are unilateral
and that with the change in status of occupied Kashmir the region’s stability
and peace are in danger.
“It
was agreed that it was a disputed territory and still is — a fact which is also
recognised by the UN — and the solution will have to be based on the
resolutions outlined by the UN,” said Qureshi.
The
foreign minister said he conveyed Pakistan’s concerns that after the amendments
to Kashmir’s status, and after curfew restrictions are removed, “a new
reign of oppression and barbarism may be enforced with which not only will
further human rights violations occur but there is fear it will lead to further
bloodshed”.
He said
that FM Yi was informed that “there may be a response and to divert
attention from the response, there might be another incident like Pulwama that
takes place.”
Qureshi
said that China will offer complete support in the decisions taken by the
Pakistan government, including that of approaching the UN Security Council, and
will continue its cooperation with Pakistan.
“Our
missions and ministries will maintain contact and exchange of views so that our
approach and response is a joint one and we can move forward with full devotion
in the matter.”
According
to Radio Pakistan, the foreign minister was received by Pakistan’s
Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi on his arrival at the Beijing airport.
He was
then taken to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse where he was warmly received by FM
Yi.
FM
Qureshi is visiting China as part of efforts to pressure India to reverse its
decision revoking the special status of the disputed region of Kashmir, The
Associated Press reported.
