China urges Pakistan, India to exercise restraint

BEIJING: China has urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint in escalating tension. Commenting on growing tension between the two countries in recent days, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in a regular news briefing that Pakistan and India were both important countries in South Asia.

“A stable Pakistan-India relationship is crucial to regional peace, stability and development. At present the situation in South Asia is generally stable which is hard won and should be cherished and upheld by relevant parties. China hopes that Pakistan and India can exercise restraint engage in dialogues and realise an early soft landing of this issue,” he said.

When asked to comment on Saudi Arabia’s investment in Pakistan, the spokesperson said China stands ready to engage in third party cooperation with Pakistan to implement the two country’s corridor projects.

“We have noted relevant reports about the Saudi investment and are glad to see Pakistan develop friendly exchanges and cooperation with other countries. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative and has been following the principle of wide consultation joint contribution and shared benefits as well as openness and transparency.”

Last year during State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi s visit to Pakistan the two sides agreed to welcome third parties to join the CPEC projects so that the CPEC will not only benefit the people of China and Pakistan, but also help the region enhance economic cooperation and connectivity and realize common development, he added.