All Weather Friend China Snubs Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Niazi, Says Resolve J&K Bilaterally 

In a statement released by Chinese foreign ministry with regards to the Kashmir dispute, it has significantly modified its position when Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan Niazi is on a visit to China which is seen as a clear admonition of his rhetoric when he spoke at the United Nations general assembly reports Times of India.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Tuesday (8 October), “We call on India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue and consultation on all issues, including the Kashmir issue, and consolidate mutual trust. This is in line with the interest of both countries and the common aspiration of the world.”

This is a clear indication that China has gone back to its back pre- 5 August position when it was in favour of Kashmir issue should be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan.

The Chinese government has omitted its recent references to the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions on Kashmir and wants New Delhi and Islamabad resolve the issue bilaterally which will be seen as a snub to Pakistan after PM Imran Khan Niazi gave a vitriolic speech at the United Nations general assembly.

But this significant overture has come at a time when PM Imran Khan and Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa are in Beijing to meet Xi and other Chinese leaders and just a few days later Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting India, which is expected to take place between 11 and 13 October.

But by going back to its pre-5 August position on Kashmir, President Xi wants to make his India visit which is yet to be formally announced, successful and maintain Beijing’s show of neutrality which is seen by many as a flexible foreign policy as it is very easy to make Pakistan toe its line.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang further said: “Both (India and China) are major developing countries of the world and major emerging markets. Since the Wuhan informal summit, our bilateral relations have gathered good momentum. We have been advancing our cooperation and properly managing our differences.”

“We have a tradition of high-level exchange and our two sides are maintaining communication on high-level exchange in the next phase. We should make a good atmosphere and environment for this,” he added.

Speaking about Imran Khan’s visit, Geng said, “We have a good tradition of close exchange and communication. We have strategic mutual trust and advancing practical cooperation. Our cooperation in the China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation (CPEC) is bringing more outcomes to our peoples.”