Our Correspondent
Beijing
China’s position on the issue of Kashmir is consistent and clear. We call on India and Pakistan to step up dialogue on disputes including the Kashmir issue to enhance mutual trust and improve relations. This was stated by Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Geng Shuang at a regular press conference. The dialogue, he added will serve the common interests of both India and Pakistan and represents the shared expectation of regional countries and the international community.
To a question about US’s negative stance on human rights situation in Xinjiang, the spokesperson said, “We urge the US to immediately correct its mistake, withdraw relevant decisions and stop interfering in China’s domestic affairs. China will continue to take firm and strong measures to resolutely defend its sovereignty, security and development interests.” About the denial of visa to residents of Xinjiang, the spokesperson added: “China always holds a positive attitude towards people-to-people exchange with the US.
We welcome people from various sectors in the US to China for visits, meetings and other activities, and have facilitated such exchanges through visa issuance and other means. The US, on the contrary, has for some time been denying visas to, delaying processing visa applications of, revoking long-term visas for, searching and harassing Chinese scholars, students, entrepreneurs and scientists.
This has thwarted normal people-to-people exchange between China and the US and infringed upon the safety and lawful rights and interests of the Chinese personnel involved. The Chinese side has expressed its grave concerns to the US side. Many from US colleges and think tanks have also voiced their opposition. Which side is facilitating people-to-people exchange and which side is setting up barriers? The answer is crystal clear.
We hope the US side will discard the Cold War and zero-sum mentality, look squarely at basic facts, build bridges instead of walls for exchange between various sectors.—INP
