Pak, China to discuss Pulwama fallout

Beijing, Mar 18: The recent India-Pakistan tensions after the February 14 Pulwama attack that killed over 40 CRPF troopers, will figure in the talks between the Chinese and Pakistani Foreign Ministers which will begin on Tuesday.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived in Beijing earlier on Monday on a three-day visit during which he will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi under the first China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.
The meet comes at a time when India’s ties with China and Pakistan, who are close allies, have come under strain after the suicide attack claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), whose chief Masood Azhar, Beijing once again refused to declare as an “international terrorist”.
Though the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday confirmed that India-Pakistan tensions will be discussed during the meet, it said that it was not aware if the listing of Azhar as an “international terrorist” will figure in the talks.
“On March 19 in Beijing, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have the first China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Foreign Minister to discuss the international and regional issues of mutual concern,” Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said here.
“As you said, the issues causing regional tensions will be discussed. As a neighbour, China would like to see the easing of tensions between the two countries and would like to see the two nations engage in dialogue for peace and stability in the region,” Geng said when asked if the aftermath of the Pulwama attack will be discussed.
Geng, meanwhile, welcomed India-Pakistan talks on the Kartarpur corridor which will enable pilgrims from India to travel to the Sikh shrine inside Pakistan through a dedicated corridor.
“India and Pakistan are neighbours and they will always live with each other. A harmonious relation serves the fundamental interests of both and the common aspirations of the international community. We hope that two sides can continue to show goodwill, meet each other halfway, resolve differences through dialogue and improve relations and uphold regional peace and stability.”
Asked if the Azhar issue will figure in the talks, Geng said: “Well, I cannot prejudge the topics that are going to be discussed in the meeting. But as I said, they will discuss the issues of bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern.
“So, as for the listing issue, I believe you are well aware of China’s position so I will repeat here. China will continue to deal with this issue in a responsible and constructive manner and will maintain close communication with all parties, including India and Pakistan.”
On March 13, China for the fourth time put a technical hold on the proposal by the UK, US, and France to the UN to ban Azhar.
Following the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force struck in Pakistan, after which Islamabad scrambled its fighters jets that resulted in a dogfight with Indian warplanes.
An Indian pilot was captured by Pakistan after his Mig-21 was hit but Islamabad released him as a “peace gesture”. (IANS)

China describes 13,000 arrested Muslims as ‘terrorists’
Beijing, Mar 18: China describes the nearly 13,000 people arrested in traditionally Islamic region of Xinjiang since 2014 as ‘terrorists’.
The figures were included in a government report on the situation in the restive northwestern territory that seeks to respond to growing criticism over the internment of an estimated 1 million members of the Uighur and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups.
China describes the camps as “vocational training centers” and says participation is voluntary. Former detainees say they were held in abusive conditions, forced to renounce Islam and swear allegiance to China’s ruling Communist Party.
The lengthy report issued Monday also says “law-based de-radicalization” in Xinjiang has curbed the rise and spread of “religious extremism”. (Agencies)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)