“The Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir belongs to us” : China asserts

China is constructing a road all the way up to Pakistan !

Beijing (China) – China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has claimed that the Shaksgam Valley, located in India’s Jammu and Kashmir, belongs to China. Through this valley, China is constructing the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to connect directly with Pakistan. Pakistan had illegally taken control of the Shaksgam Valley in 1948 and subsequently handed over this region to China in 1963.

“China has the right to build infrastructure in its own territory”

According to China’s government mouthpiece Global Times, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the region being questioned is part of China. Building infrastructure within its own territory is China’s sovereign right, and no questions can be raised over it. She added that China and Pakistan had signed a boundary agreement in the 1960s, through which the border between the 2 countries was demarcated. This decision, she claimed, was taken by 2 sovereign nations in accordance with their respective rights.

The highway has no connection with China’s stance on the Kashmir issue

Speaking about the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, Mao Ning said it is an economic cooperation project aimed at promoting local economic and social development and improving the living standards of people. She asserted that the China–Pakistan boundary agreement and the highway project have no connection whatsoever with China’s position on the Kashmir issue, and that China’s stance on Kashmir remains unchanged. Kashmir, she said, is a complex historical issue that should be resolved peacefully through direct dialogue between India and Pakistan. China respects United Nations resolutions and international agreements.

We do not recognise the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC) – India

At a press conference held on 9th January, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Shaksgam Valley is an integral part of India. He clarified that India has never recognised the so-called China–Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963, which India considers illegal, as it concerns Indian territory under Pakistan’s unlawful occupation. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are inseparable parts of India, he reiterated, and this position has been clearly conveyed to both Pakistan and China on multiple occasions.

Editorial Perspectives

• Considering China’s mindset, it would not be surprising if tomorrow it claims that the entire Kashmir region is part of China !
• India must show the courage to undertake military action to halt the construction of the road being built in this region !