China calls for learning from China-India border issue

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When asked to comment on China-India relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it is necessary to learn lessons from the recent incident in order to safeguard peace in the border area.

Wang is referring to the military stand-off in Dong Lang (Doklam), which started in mid-June and ended in late August, when India withdrew its personnel and equipment.

"The two sides should properly settle differences and issues on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," Wang said.

Chinese and Indian soldiers shake hands over the border in front of the 4,260-meter-high Nathu La pass in Sikkim, opened for the first time in 44 years, July 5, 2006. /VCG Photo

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, namely mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, were endorsed by China and India in the 1950s, and have been widely accepted as norms for relations between countries.

Wang said that the two sides should implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, thus ensuring the healthy and stable development of China-India ties.

Wang said the two sides should strengthen mutual trust and treat each other as development opportunities and partners, not opponents and threats.

"Peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is an inevitable choice and the correct direction of China-India ties," he said.

Indian army chief Bipin Rawat said on Wednesday that his country must be prepared for war and accused China of "testing our limits."

"I'm not sure if his remarks have been authorized, and whether the remarks were impromptu speech or representing the position of the Indian government," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, noting that even the Indian media considered his remarks shocking.

Geng urged certain Indian military officials to view the historical trends of the two countries and only make remarks and deeds that are beneficial to China-India ties.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency