China Refutes US Allegations Of ‘Intimidating’ Neighbours, Says Latest Talks With India Are 'Positive And Constructive'

 "The China-India border issue is a matter between the two countries, and both sides oppose the interference from a third party," said China on the US interference in the issue

(File Photo/ Getty Images)

New Delhi: Dismissing the US allegations of being “intimidating” neighbours, China on Thursday described the latest round of military-level talks with India as “positive and constructive”  stressing that Beijing will work closely with New Delhi to “properly handle” the border issue.

In a press briefing Sr. Col. Wu on Thursday condemned the comment of White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s accusing China of attempting to intimidate its neighbours ahead of the India-China military talks.

In response to the China’s aggressive behaviour on the border with India, Psaki had earlier this month said the United States continues to monitor the situation, according to the news agency PTI report.

 "We continue to closely monitor the situation. We continue to support dialogue and peaceful resolution of these border disputes,” she said.

 "We’ve been pretty clear how we view Beijing’s behaviour in the region around the world. We believe it can be destabilising, and we’re concerned by the PRC’s (People Republic of China) attempt to intimidate its neighbours,” she said, according to the report.  “We’ll continue to stand with our partners on that,” Psaki had stressed.

Coming out strongly against the remarks, Sr. Col. Wu said some American politicians are so fond of using the word “coerce” and they seem to have forgotten that the US is the inventor and master player of “coercive diplomacy”.

 "The China-India border issue is a matter between the two countries, and both sides oppose the interference from a third party,” Wu was quoted as saying by chinese defence ministry’s official website.

Clearing China’s stand, he said China neither “coerces” nor is “coerced” by others, and strongly opposes the US forcing “coercive diplomacy” on other countries, the report said.

India and China held the 14th round of Corps Commander-level meeting on January 12 during which the two sides agreed to maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels to work out a “mutually acceptable resolution” of the remaining issues of the standoff at eastern Ladakh.