Chandigarh: Indian state on Thursday (October 31st) moved forward with its announcement to bifurcate the internationally disputed region of Kashmir into two Union Territories. The region is claimed by both India and Pakistan, who have control over only parts of it. Moreover certain portions of the region are in actual control of China. Whereas the government of India is saying that Jammu and Kashmir was its internal matter, China said that “China’s position on the issue of Kashmir is consistent and clear. It is a dispute left over from history and should be resolved properly and peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant Security Council Resolutions and bilateral agreements”.
Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China further said that India was challenging China’s sovereign rights and interests by unilaterally revising domestic law and administrative division. While terming the Indian move as illegal, null and void, the Chinese spokesperson said: [i]t will neither change the fact that the relevant region is under China’s actual control nor produce any effect.
⊕ Full Text of China’s Response Reads As Follows:
Q: The Indian government today established the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh following the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Lieutenant governors for the two UTs were sworn in respectively in Srinagar and Leh. I wonder if China has any comments?
A: The Indian government officially announced the establishment of the so-called “Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir” and “Union Territory of Ladakh”, placing part of Chinese territory under Indian administration. China deplores and firmly opposes this. India is challenging China’s sovereign rights and interests by unilaterally revising domestic law and administrative division. This is illegal, null and void. It will neither change the fact that the relevant region is under China’s actual control nor produce any effect.
We urge India to respect China’s territorial sovereignty, abide by bilateral agreements, and safeguard the peace and tranquility in the border region with concrete actions to create conditions for a proper settlement of the border issue with China.
China’s position on the issue of Kashmir is consistent and clear. It is a dispute left over from history and should be resolved properly and peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant Security Council Resolutions and bilateral agreements. Parties to the issue should resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation to maintain peace and stability in the region.