Position on Kashmir not affected by CPEC: China

E-Paper | June 16, 2026

KARACHI: The Chinese foreign ministry has called for the settlement of the Kashmir issue through dialogue between Pakistan and India.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said this while addressing a regular press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Answering a question regarding India’s objection to Pakistan’s plan to declare Gilgit-Baltistan, part of Kashmir, its fifth province and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor going through these areas, Ms Hua said China’s position on the Kashmir issue was consistent and clear-cut.

“As a leftover issue from history between India and Pakistan, it needs to be properly settled through dialogue and consultation between the two sides,” she said, adding that development of CPEC did not affect China’s position on the Kashmir issue.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2017

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

CPEC

World

Can CPEC lead to Indo-Pak dialogue on resolving Kashmir issue?

China wonders if India will take up Pakistani general's offer to join CPEC

CPEC is not another East India Company. Here's why

Indian

Mar 18, 2017 08:27am

China hold a part of Kashmir

Recommend 0

Nasir

Mar 18, 2017 08:31am

G-B should be declared 5th province, it's ours and why let India decide our country's decisions.

Recommend 0

Punit

Mar 18, 2017 08:35am

"Iron Brother" is neutral on Kashmir issue??

Recommend 0

Raghunath

Mar 18, 2017 08:52am

Long live Tibet movement

Recommend 0

Dr.Arshad

Mar 18, 2017 08:53am

True. Chinese position is simple: That entire Kashmir is integral part of Pakistan. Pakistan got hold of GB and Azad Kashmir in less than one month in 1948.

Recommend 0

Mohit

Mar 18, 2017 08:57am

Then leave CPEC

Recommend 0

SATT

Mar 18, 2017 09:06am

Position of Kashmir will only be affected when India will bring any foreign country for a economic project in Indian occupied Kashmir,foreign countries like US,Japan.

Recommend 0

Samir,India

Mar 18, 2017 09:19am

Well and truly said by China, Kashmir's position will not be affected forever. So live with it.

Recommend 0

SID

Mar 18, 2017 09:28am

@SATT No just install THAAD ( Terminal High Altitude Air Defense ) system or S-400 in Tawang district , then see how China reacts .

Recommend 0

Abdul Rehman

Mar 18, 2017 10:17am

No one or nor any country on this planet can change India's stand on Kashmir. UN or any country will never interfere. It is between Pakistan and India to resolve.

Recommend 0

Rituraj India

Mar 18, 2017 10:30am

Now india should promote foreign investor in indian kashmir.

Recommend 0

D.K. PAMNANI

Mar 18, 2017 10:34am

We can Ask Russia for such type of project to counter China.

Recommend 0

Imtiaz ali khan

Mar 18, 2017 10:44am

Love you China Iron Brothers 4 Life Qilai! :) Millions of Indians have strong cultural ties with China, praying for the day when India/China also come together also :) Like what we have with SinoPak friendship.

Recommend 0

Junaid

Mar 18, 2017 10:49am

Don't know why we're not making GB and Azad Kashmir as our 5th and 6th provinces

Recommend 0

MARITA

Mar 18, 2017 11:01am

@Dr.Arshad One way traffic doesn't work.

Recommend 0

GENGHIS khan

Mar 18, 2017 10:59am

@Junaid , Simple; it is called mischief playing.

Recommend 0

Rakesh Jain

Mar 18, 2017 11:08am

Strange, China too endorses India's stance that Kashmir is a bilateral issue.. no place for third party.

Recommend 0

murli

Mar 18, 2017 11:21am

China is a matured country it knows what to speak and when to speak. We India and Pakistan should be matured as well and forget who owes which part of Kashmir and stay calm with what is there today. If you talk of muslim brothers in Kashmir, then dont forget we have more Muslim brothers than Pakistan. They are taking part in each and every activity in India, whether it is as IAS officer, muscians, businessmen, actors, scholars, teachers, you name it and we have our muslim brothers in that field. Three Cheers to our Muslim brothers who stand in front of every Indian to protect them.

Recommend 0

Bhavin

Mar 18, 2017 11:30am

Its good for peace to declare gilgit-baltistan as 5th province of pakistan. That will allow india to scrap article 370 and so called 'autonomy' of Jammu kashmir. The Kashmir dispute will settle down in that way and business will start. One peace comes in the region, borders can be made porous. In today's world, there is no scope for changing geography by war.

Recommend 0

truth

Mar 18, 2017 11:30am

That's how China plays...Pakistan will realize it when they are deep into it and will find it difficult to get rid of the Chinese embrace which is friendly but will be so tight that it will be chocking and suffocating.

Recommend 0

LayMan

Mar 18, 2017 12:07pm

CPEC the biggest thorn in the eyes of India and enemies of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

krish

Mar 18, 2017 12:13pm

The Chinese are quite stupid if you ask me. Trade with america is going to reduce after Trump implements his policy. Europe is going to get tougher. Rest of east-asia is quite wary of China as a hegemon. Its internal costs of manufacturing are rising on an yearly basis. By adopting a adversarial policy against India it is going to hurt its 10b trade with india. The day is not far when India is going to slap trade restrictons on China. Chinese growth story seems to be getting bleaker by the day because of its policies.

Recommend 0

ABC

Mar 18, 2017 12:37pm

@D.K. PAMNANI Russia needs China to survive due to embargo.

Recommend 0

naveed

Mar 18, 2017 12:51pm

@Abdul Rehman So when you are going to resolve this?

Recommend 0

Inqelab

Mar 18, 2017 12:58pm

@naveed Maybe once CPEC.. .

Recommend 0

Balakrishnan

Mar 18, 2017 01:08pm

Now foreign investment on Hydro power projects can be considered in J&K. Nobody dare to tell anything, in the light of CPEC.

Recommend 0

GENGHIS khan

Mar 18, 2017 01:18pm

@ABC , Which country is bigger, stronger , more powerful and more feared between the two; Russia or China?

Recommend 0

Mar 18, 2017 02:06pm

@Punit ; on the surface but deep down NO!

Recommend 0

A shah

Mar 18, 2017 02:22pm

Why is china supporting India's stance on Kashmir?

Recommend 0

SAT

Mar 18, 2017 02:45pm

Simla Agreement, which allowed for repatriation of 93,000 Pakistani POWs from India, also agreed that Kashmir issue will be settled by bilateral discussions. This is the known position of both countries.

Recommend 0

Jamil

Mar 18, 2017 03:11pm

@Abdul Rehman India and Pakistan should heed to the wishes of the people of Kashmir as this is the only solution.

Recommend 0

Mar 18, 2017 03:53pm

China doesn't even bother about international insitutions. But advises others. Example, PCA Hague gave a verdit that Spratly Islands are not part of China. But this nation which unilaterally rejected the verdict. Now such a nation which doesn't have democracy or doesn't fall in line with international institutions is calling for dialogie. It can go for dialogue with Borneo, Phillipines, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia.

Recommend 0

Taimoor khan

Mar 18, 2017 04:16pm

@Punit "Iron brother" is telling the world that they don't care about Indian position and will carry on with CPEC development on areas which India regard as it's territory.

Recommend 0

Chandra

Mar 18, 2017 04:37pm

Simple, convert LoC into IB, this is what India had been asking for long, no more AJK or Kashmir, but only India and Pakistan

Recommend 0

Prateik

Mar 18, 2017 04:47pm

Constitutional status to GB means GB is not a disputed territory, but a part of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

SID

Mar 18, 2017 04:52pm

@Taimoor khan Rather they are saying forget about UN. And let it remain how it is .

Recommend 0

Vasan

Mar 18, 2017 04:58pm

Sadly it is called rubbing the salt on the wounds.

Recommend 0

Taimoor khan

Mar 18, 2017 05:05pm

@SID really? I dont see such presumption in Chinese statement. Isn't it quite funny that despite India hue and cry China ignored all Indian concern. Rest assured after CPEC completion Indian position on rest of Kashmir will only weaken.

Recommend 0

Ishan Pandey

Mar 18, 2017 05:19pm

Good Move by China. I am from India and I appreciate that. India and Pakistan should solve all their issues for development. I am from India and I want peace. India and Pakistan will be big economies in 2050 according to PWC Report. Even Bangladesh will be in top 30!! Let us all(China,India,Pakistan,Bangladesh,Nepal,Bhutan,Sri Lanka) move towards peace:) Also please don't hate on my comment as I am only 14 years old and my father will not allow me to comment if he sees bad comments. Love to to everyone:)

Recommend 0

Ishan Pandey

Mar 18, 2017 05:21pm

@Imtiaz ali khan Agreed! I am from India and I want peace between all countries! Our culture is so diverse yet linked together:)

Recommend 0

AHA

Mar 18, 2017 05:54pm

Yes agree there is no role for third party or any terrorist organisations in between. Prblem can be solved only between India and Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Observer

Mar 18, 2017 05:52pm

@D.K. PAMNANI We don't need such projects.

Recommend 0

Observer

Mar 18, 2017 06:00pm

@Jamil What about wishes of every poor and underprivileged in Pakistan or India? Why are Kashmiris so special to you?

Recommend 0

vijay

Mar 18, 2017 06:16pm

@Dr.Arshad The lady clearly said that Kashmir is a bilateral issue. Lets assume for the moment she said Kashmir belongs to Pakistan then how is China going to enforce it's decision? Ain't happening.

Recommend 0

Mar 18, 2017 06:17pm

@Taimoor khan, Nope, its the other way

Recommend 0

Mar 18, 2017 06:46pm

China will say something or nothing.....let Pakistan have its own policies. That will be appreciated more than anything else including public opinion in Pakistan! But sadly it is not to be seen at all ...!!

Recommend 0

Syam

Mar 18, 2017 06:46pm

That's business. It minds the trade with India.

Recommend 0

M. Siddique

Mar 18, 2017 07:23pm

@ Indian, Bharat should let UN hold a referendum in Kashmir and we will find out what Kashmiris want.

Recommend 0

mshafiq_s28@yahoo.com

Mar 18, 2017 07:27pm

India does not want to discuss the core issue of Kashmir, which is the reason of tension between India and Pakistan. “The United Nations brokered a cease-fire ( between India and Pakistan ) in 1949, and a five-member commission made up of Argentina, Belgium, Columbia, Czechoslovakia and the United States drew up a resolution calling for a referendum to decide Kashmir's future.” India agreed. India should fulfil its promise.

Recommend 0

M. Siddique

Mar 18, 2017 07:26pm

@Samir,India, Bharat will never totally subjugate Kashmir. It is time Kashmiris to decide their own future.

Recommend 0

M. Siddique

Mar 18, 2017 07:33pm

@Rituraj India, Bharat will never invite foreign investors because of overwhelming presence of Bharati forces.

Recommend 0

Firoz

Mar 18, 2017 07:32pm

@M. Siddique. What if Kashmiris want total indepedance? Both kashmirs free and united. Whats happens to cpec then?

Recommend 0

Jamil

Mar 18, 2017 08:20pm

@Observer You are unsuccessfully trying to mix two different issues. They both needs attention and resolution in their own way.

Recommend 0

Jamil

Mar 18, 2017 08:22pm

@AHA But because of India's intransigent attitude on Kashmir, the dispute between Pakistan and India has remained unresolved.

Recommend 0

Jamil

Mar 18, 2017 08:22pm

@Chandra This state of affair is not acceptable to the people of Kashmir. No one else can decide the destiny of the people of Kashmir than the Kashmiris themselves.

Recommend 0

Jamil

Mar 18, 2017 08:27pm

@SID Only in your dreams!

Recommend 0

Zak

Mar 18, 2017 09:33pm

@Punit neutral but says it needs to be resolved which means it refutes india claim its part of india. Pakistans stand is reinforced.

Recommend 0

Zak

Mar 18, 2017 09:29pm

@Samir,India the kashmiris will decide.

Recommend 0

Zak

Mar 18, 2017 09:34pm

@SID don't annoy the dragon. India is a fly.

Recommend 0

Zak

Mar 18, 2017 09:31pm

@ Indian no, China hold nothing, india occupy IOK. That's why India so scared of UN plebiscite.

Recommend 0

Tamil

Mar 18, 2017 09:35pm

I don't think Pakistan will allow anyone to stop CPEC project. It is too big. We should resolve kashmir and ask to join this game changing trade route.

Recommend 0

kerala

Mar 18, 2017 09:53pm

@Imtiaz ali khan Really! China may have copied our culture not the other way round

Recommend 0

Joe

Mar 18, 2017 10:14pm

@mshafiq_s28@yahoo.com Looks like you are only aware of that part of UN resolution that is taught in Pakistan. Just answer this Who is required to withdraw it's armed forces totally from Kashmir before plebiscite? Word is totally.. Answer..

Recommend 0

Chandra

Mar 18, 2017 10:13pm

@Jamil Bro, be realistic, what you state is ideal situation, but in reality one should have bargaining power on negotiating table, there are three players now, India, China & Pak, all will be guided by national interest, this new situation suits all three

Recommend 0

Chandra

Mar 18, 2017 10:19pm

@Taimoor khan On the contrary, this new situation will suit India and re-instate the status quo that India wants

Recommend 0

SID

Mar 18, 2017 10:58pm

@Jamil It has been decided for last 70 years.

Recommend 0

Zak

Mar 18, 2017 11:07pm

@Dr.Arshad well said and the Indians are still taught erroneously in their schools, they won in 1948. They have odd concept of winning, by losing half of kashmir which is peaceful For last 70 years.

Recommend 0

Naveed

Mar 19, 2017 12:26am

What a waste of thoughts, words, bytes and time!

Recommend 0

Observer

Mar 19, 2017 01:56am

It clearly contradicts Pakistan's stand seeking UN intervention. It is interesting how some Pakistanis are reacting to this easily understandable statement.

Recommend 0

Michael

Mar 19, 2017 02:05am

CHINESE, Why don't you PRACTICE before you preach in SOUTH EAST ASIA

Recommend 0

RAJ

Mar 19, 2017 04:38am

China should first vacate Tibet and reinstate Dalai Lama. Then they can talk about Kashmir.

Recommend 0

RAJ

Mar 19, 2017 04:42am

@murli China is not a matured country. It is a country seeking to expand its boundaries. It is a terriorially aggressive country, it has poor human rights record. Chinese muslims are oppressed and cannot practice freely.

Recommend 0

RAJ

Mar 19, 2017 04:52am

@Taimoor khan China will ignore everybody including Pakistan. I am glad that we don't consider China as friend. It cannot stab us in the back.

Recommend 0

Ramesh Dembla

Mar 19, 2017 05:02am

Gilgit and baltistan are part of Kashmir and Kashmir is part of Pakistan. CPEC is a eyesore for our enimies. They know that in few yes are Pakistan is going to become strong. They need that we remain poor and weak. Iran and other countries who want to join CPEC knows the position of Kashmir. They value their dollars. UN also said that peaceful solution is important. We have neculear technology and now we will be a major power in the world.

Recommend 0

Sana

Mar 19, 2017 07:04am

@Nasir how is it yours? just because you say so ? even China is not supporting you guys on this it says resolve issue with dialogue

Recommend 0

Kevin

Mar 19, 2017 07:36am

@Nasir : Same we feel here in India as well, mate!

Recommend 0

Kevin

Mar 19, 2017 07:42am

@Imtiaz ali khan : What a noble thought! Sadly, we would take generations to think like you do.

Recommend 0

Kevin

Mar 19, 2017 07:45am

@Ishan Pandey : You should think of majoring in International relations. Very mature comment coming from a 14 year old.

Recommend 0

maher

Mar 19, 2017 12:40pm

@SATT dont put ideas in their head.... :p

Recommend 0

Azad kashmir

Mar 19, 2017 06:18pm

We are proud to be Muslim, proud to be Kashmiri. Pakistan zindabad!

Recommend 0

Aleem

Mar 19, 2017 07:52pm

@Jamil a violator, invader and occupier cannot heed wishes of the ocvupied, otherwise they will have to leave.

Recommend 0

Leo

Mar 19, 2017 08:00pm

@Punit : well said !

Recommend 0

Agha Ata

Mar 19, 2017 08:39pm

I wish issues like Taiwan and China, North Korea and South Korea could also be solved through dialogue between the parties.

Recommend 0

ron

Mar 20, 2017 05:39am

@Jamil, Kashmir's people want their own country. Not part of India or part of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Azam Ali Siddiqui

Mar 20, 2017 08:27am

Kashmir has a right of expressing their free will .The same right has been exercised by other areas under the supervision of the U. N.O. for example , Indonesia,Sudan and other places.Because of this problem South Asians will have hard time facing the problem of climate change,hunger and Health.Canal water dispute,hunger and poverty related suicide and Educational development are suffering` for military expenditure in KASHMIR.Promote peace in South Asia and peaceful negotiation for settlement of all disputes.

Recommend 0

Farhaz

Mar 20, 2017 09:16am

China knows all but some obstructions is in their path for which alternatively giving advice to their ally.

Recommend 0

mandy

Mar 20, 2017 11:25am

China should stay away from this...What will happen if India plays the card of Tibet...

Recommend 0

Bharat

Mar 20, 2017 01:20pm

@mshafiq_s28@yahoo.com There are conditions which both Pakistan & India have to meet before referendum can take place. Are you aware of this?

Recommend 0

Branded Content

K&N's SmartCooking Recipes: Sausage and Bean Soup

A hearty sausage and bean soup brimming with vegetables, herbs and a rich tomato-infused broth.

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.