— Wang Yi says China fully understands Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns; supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests
— Calls calls for ‘impartial investigation’ into Pahalgam attack
BEIJING: China has urged Pakistan and India to observe restraint in wake of Pahalgam attack with China’s Foreign Minister saying that China fully understands Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns; supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests.
Member of the Political Bureau of China’s CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the latter’s request.
Giving an update on the tensions between Pakistan and India over the terror attacks in Kashmir, Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan has always been resolute in combating terrorism and opposed actions that may lead to an escalation of the situation. Pakistan is committed to managing the situation in a mature manner and will maintain communication with China and the international community, he added.
Wang Yi said that China is closely following the developments of the current situation. He said combating terrorism is the common responsibility of all countries in the world, and China always supports Pakistan’s resolute implementation of counter-terrorism actions.
“As Pakistan’s ironclad friend and all-weather strategic cooperative partner, China fully understands Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests. China supports an impartial investigation as soon as possible, as the conflict does not serve the fundamental interests of either India or Pakistan, nor does it contribute to regional peace and stability,@ he added.
Wang Yi expressed the hope that Pakistan and India will exercise restraint and work in the same direction to deescalate the situation.
Meanwhile, China on Monday urged India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint” as the two countries reportedly exchanged fire at the Line of Control (LoC) for a fourth night in a row in the wake of a deadly attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
“China hopes that the two sides will exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation and jointly maintain regional peace and stability,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular media briefing in Beijing.
“China welcomes all measures that will help cool down the situation,” Jiakun added.
The April 22 attack killed 26 people, mostly tourists, and was one of the deadliest armed attacks in the disputed Himalayan region since 2000. Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front, said it “unequivocally” denied involvement in the attack, after an initial message that claimed responsibility.
India, without offering any evidence, has implied cross-border linkages of the attackers, while Pakistan has strongly denied any involvement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a neutral probe into the incident.
