BEIJING – Opposing any “unilateral actions” that could complicate the situation in Kashmir, China, on Sunday, called for resolving the Kashmir issue peacefully.

The country revealed its stand on the vexed bilateral issue on a day Imran Khan, who is on a four-day visit to China, held talks with the top Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping. While the Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its concerns, position and pressing issues at the moment, the Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China said it opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.

India has strongly rejected references made to Jammu and Kashmir in a previous joint statement by Pakistan and China and asserted that the Union territory as well as Ladakh have been and will remain its integral and inalienable part. In July 2021, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had objected to reference made to the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in a statement by the two countries, saying it is in Indian territory that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan.

“As in the past, India categorically rejects any reference to Jammu and Kashmir. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the union territory of Ladakh has been and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” Mr Bagchi had said.

The spokesperson had said that India has consistently conveyed to both China and Pakistan that the so-called CPEC is in India’s territory.

“We resolutely oppose any attempts by other countries to change the status quo in areas illegally occupied by Pakistan as also to Pakistan bringing up any material change in Indian territories under its illegal occupation. We call upon parties concerned to cease such actions,” he said.

The Pakistan prime minister held talks with President Xi on the last day of his visit to discuss various issues including the slow pace of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and increasing concerns of Beijing over recurring attacks on Chinese personnel working in its various projects in Pakistan.

During the meeting, President Xi said assured China’s support to Pakistan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, dignity and fighting terrorism, according to Xinhua, state-run news agency.

The president said China was willing to join hands with Pakistan to push forward the in-depth development of the CPEC and ensure the implementation of key projects.

A joint statement issued at the end of Khan’s visit to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics said, “Both sides reiterated that a peaceful and prosperous South Asia is in the common interest of all parties.”