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August 4, 2017

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Indian troops鈥 trespass across border irresponsible

INDIAN troops’ trespass into Chinese territory is irresponsible and reckless, China’s foreign ministry spokesman said yesterday.

Geng Shuang was responding to a question at a press briefing about China’s road building in a border area.

A document — “The Facts and China’s Position Concerning the Indian Border Troops’ Crossing of the China-India Boundary in the Sikkim Sector into the Chinese Territory” — was released on Wednesday.

According to the document, road building in the Dong Lang area on the Chinese side of the Sikkim Sector of the boundary aims to improve local transport, help local herdsmen and facilitate border patrols.

“China had notified the Indian side about the roadworks through the border meeting mechanism on May 18 and June 8 and the Indian side did not make any response,” Geng said.

On June 18, more than 270 Indian troops crossed the border. “As of August 2, there were still 48 Indian troops and one bulldozer on Chinese territory,” he said, adding that there were still a large number of Indian armed forces congregated on the Indian side of the border.

India ignored existing mechanisms and channels and flagrantly dispatched armed troops into China and have refused to withdraw, Geng said.

In response to China’s document, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that peace and tranquility on the India-China border was an important prerequisite for the smooth development of bilateral relations.

Geng said the Indian side always had “peace” on the tip of its tongue.

“But we should not only listen to its words but also heed its deeds,” he said.

China had notified the Indian side in advance through the border meeting mechanism.

However, the Indian side didn’t make any response for over one month.

Instead, it dispatched armed forces carrying equipment to illegally cross the border to obstruct China’s road building.

“This is by no means for peace,” Geng said.

Indian border troops are still illegally on Chinese territory, Geng said.

In addition, he said, the Indian side was building roads, hoarding supplies and deploying a large number of armed forces on the Indian side of the boundary.


 

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