Beijing concurred with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s assertion that an Asian Century would be difficult to achieve without cooperation from China and India, but it dodged questions regarding the disengagement from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which India claims is a necessary condition for advancing bilateral relations.
“We have far more common interests than differences. Both sides have the wisdom and capability to help each other succeed instead of undercutting each other,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Friday.
When asked to respond to Jaishankar’s assertion that the actions of China at the border had put bilateral relations through an extremely difficult period, Wang expressed the hope that the Indian side would cooperate with China to quickly return the relations to the route of steady and sound development. “Let me say that China and India maintain smooth communication over the boundary question. And our dialogue is effective,” he added when pressed further on the LAC stalemate.
Reverting to Jaishankar’s observations that “if there are reservations in any quarter, these stem from a desire to exercise a veto on the choices of others,” the Chinese Foreign Office spokesperson said, “Our position on Quad is consistent and clear. Building exclusive groups is against the trend of the times and will not get any support or get anywhere.”
Read more: Bhaichung Bhutia files nomination for AIFF president’s post
