New Delhi: China Friday once again blamed India for the ongoing tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh and said New Delhi had “exaggerated” Galwan casualties.
This comes in the backdrop of the Indian and Chinese troops completing their disengagement at the Pangong Tso area.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said New Delhi “distorted the truth” about the Galwan Valley clash in June that killed 20 Indian soldiers.
“In a bid to maintain the general picture of relations between the two countries and two armies and to promote the cooling down and de-escalation of the situation, China has exercised great restraint, reflecting China’s tolerance and commitment as a responsible power. However, the Indian side has repeatedly exaggerated and hyped the casualties, distorting the truth and misleading international public opinion,” the spokesperson said at press conference.
“Now the PLA Daily has published a report on the incident to reveal the truth. I think it is good for people to understand the truth, and the right and wrong of the incident, which is also a proper tribute to the heroic martyrs defending the country.”
The PLA Daily is the official newspaper of the Chinese military.
The Ministry of External Affairs is yet to respond to China’s remarks.
Meanwhile, Chinese state media released a video and several pictures, portraying Indian troops as the aggressors in the Galwan Valley clash, on a day the country, for the first time, officially announced the death of four of its officers and soldiers in the clash.
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‘India important neighbour, China committed to stable relationship’
Hua Chunying, however, also said, “India is an important neighbour” and “restoring a healthy stable relationship is the aspiration and also in the interest of the two people”.
“China’s position on the resolution of the border issue has been consistent and we have always been committed to properly resolving the disputes through dialogue and maintaining peace and stability in the border area,” she said.
“We hope to work with the Indian side to put the border issue in a proper position, so that we can work together to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border area. Everyone who made sacrifices, gave their lives for the sovereignty and security of the country will always be remembered,” the spokesperson added.
She also said, “I hope that the border issue can be placed in an appropriate position in China-India bilateral relations.”
“It is hoped that India can work with China to properly resolve relevant issues and maintain the overall situation of China-India relations.”
Beijing also said the two sides are currently maintaining close communication through diplomatic and military channels to “advance the disengagement process”.
China’s remarks come a day ahead of the tenth round of corps commander meeting, to be held at the Moldo Meeting Point on the Chinese side in Eastern Ladakh.
This is expected to be followed by another round of diplomatic talks under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC).
Fresh salvo
The latest salvo from China comes a day after the ‘Quad’ held a third round of virtual meeting of foreign ministers in which the US, India, Japan and Australia reasserted their commitment for a “rules-based global order” and “territorial integrity and sovereignty”.
Meanwhile, the video released by the Chinese state media shows the Chinese challenging a group of incoming Indian soldiers in the Galwan river. The Chinese are seen carrying shields and fibre sticks.
It also shows a Chinese colonel surrounded by Indian troops, while the later part of the video shows him with a head injury.
On-site video of last June’s #GalwanValley skirmish released.
It shows how did #India’s border troops gradually trespass into Chinese side. #ChinaIndiaFaceoff pic.twitter.com/3o1eHwrIB2— Shen Shiwei沈诗伟 (@shen_shiwei) February 19, 2021
PLA Regimental Commander Qi Fabao suffered severe head injury in Galwan Valley skirmish on Jun15 2020, he has recovered well!
Hail from Gansu in NWChina, Qi was the distinguished graduate from PLA Army Academy in Xi'an.
"If you don't get off our land, I'll let you all down here!" pic.twitter.com/N5rrJViv99— Eva 郑 عائشة (@evazhengll) February 19, 2021
The People’s Liberation Army Friday officially admitted that four Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the Galwan clash.
Five Chinese frontier officers and soldiers were recognised by the Central Military Commission of China, the PLA Daily reported.
(With inputs from Snehesh Alex Philip)
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