Article 370; China is seriously concerned about Kashmir: Hua Chunying

Asking India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, China on Tuesday said they should avoid actions that “unilaterally” change the status quo and exacerbate tensions between them as it voiced “serious concern” over the situation in Kashmir.

China also expressed its opposition to India’s move to create a separate Union Territory of Ladakh.

The Indian government on Monday revoked Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and proposed that the state be bifurcated into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Asserting that China’s position on Kashmir was “clear and consistent”, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying in Beijing said the issue is a legacy of history between India and Pakistan, which is also the consensus of the international community.

Hua Chunying, in a written response to queries on exchange of fire along the Line of Control and the Indian government’s move to revoke Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, said China is “seriously concerned” about the current situation in Kashmir.

“The parties concerned should exercise restraint and act with caution, especially to avoid actions that unilaterally change the status quo and exacerbate the tension,” she added.

“We call on the two sides to peacefully resolve relevant disputes through dialogue and consultation and safeguard regional peace and stability,” she said.