Exchanges, cooperation between India-China can soothe ties: Chinese envoy

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 4 (ANI): Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kolkata Ma Zhanwu, on Friday said that regular exchanges and cooperation between China and India would benefit the bilateral relation of the two sides in long term. "The exchanges and cooperation between china & India would contribute to overall atmosphere of the relationship. In the long run it will contribute in serving of the problems existing between the two. In this regard we heard the two advocates in moral exchanges, cultural & trade, education tourism and other areas," Ma said while speaking to media. Speaking about the current border standoff between the two countries, he said a document was recently published by the Chinese government in this regard. Earlier, China had emphatically rejected India's interference in its ongoing boundary dispute with Bhutan in the Doklam area and again urged New Delhi to withdraw unconditionally and end the nearly two-month long stand-off. "The China-Bhutan boundary issue is one between China and Bhutan. It has nothing to do with India. As a third party, India has no right to interfere in or impede the boundary talks between China and Bhutan, still less the right to make territorial claims on Bhutan's behalf," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement. China alleged that India's intrusion into its territory under the pretext of defending Bhutan's territorial claims, has not only violated Beijing's territorial sovereignty, but also challenged Bhutan's sovereignty and independence. Indian and Chinese troops continue to be locked in a standoff in Doklam and both sides have moved additional troops, ammunition and military equipment to the area. The stand-off emerged after Chinese troops were stopped by the Indian Army from constructing roads along the Doklam border. India claims Sikkim border as part of its territory, while China has said that the area falls on their side as per the 1890 treaty signed between British and China. Consequently, China suspended the annual Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and conceded that the decision to suspend the pilgrimage was due to the border scuffle. It also alleged that the Indian troops had crossed the Sikkim sector of the Indo-China border. Beijing has accused New Delhi of violating a convention signed in 1890 between Britain and China relating to Sikkim and Tibet. (ANI)