BEIJING: China has opposed the Indian plan of holding the G-20 meeting in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called on the member of the grouping to focus on economic recovery and avoid politicising the relevant issue.

“China’s position on Kashmir is consistent and clear cut,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during his regular briefing in response to a question regarding the Indian attempt to hold a G-20 meeting in the controversial area of Kashmir on Thursday.

“It is a legacy issue between India and Pakistan. It should be properly resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements. Relevant parties should avoid complicating the situation with the unilateral move.”

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Pakistan has already completely rejected India’s attempt to hold the meeting in the occupied valley, reiterating that the region was under New Delhi’s occupation.

As per media reports, India is planning to host the 2023 meetings of the G-20 and its ministry of external affairs has issued directives to the authorities in the occupied territory to ensure necessary arrangements.

Noting the relevant information, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stressed the need for addressing the disputes through dialogue and consultations. He called for jointly upholding peace.

He added that the G-20 was a premier forum for international economic cooperation and called on relevant sides to focus on economic recovery and avoid politicising the relevant issue so as to make a positive contribution to improving the global economic governance.

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To a question over the laying out and implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through an apparently disputed area, he said that China has undertaken some projects in Pakistan to help it grow its economy and improve people’s livelihood. “These projects are in Pakistan-occupied areas of Kashmir.”

Zhao Lijian said the relevant Chinese companies who run the projects do so with the aim of helping the local people to develop the economy and improve their livelihood, adding: “That doesn’t mean our position on Kashmir is changed. I have already elaborated on our stern position on Kashmir.”

To another query, he congratulated Pakistan on the start of the full commercial operation of the Karot Hydropower Plant.

“China stands ready to work with Pakistan to renew our traditional friendship, deepen all-around practical cooperation and ensure CPEC will continue to blossom and bear more fruits and bring bilateral relations, people-to-people exchanges and economic and social development of the two countries to a new level,” he said.