Ready to talk to India to resolve differences over CPEC : China

Ready to talk to India to resolve differences over CPEC: China

China said on Monday it is ready to discuss India’s concerns on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which New Delhi has opposed because it passes through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The CPEC is a flagship venture of China’s multi-billion dollar connectivity project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

China’s statement came in response to Indian ambassador Gautam Bambawale’s remarks during an interview with Global Times, a state-run English tabloid, that the CPEC is a major problem that must not be pushed under the carpet.

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“Regarding the CPEC, China has reiterated its position. As to the differences between China and India, China stands ready to communicate and talk with India to seek a proper solution so that these differences don’t affect our general national interests,” foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing.

“This best serves the interests of the two countries,” she said.

Hua reiterated that the multi-billion dollar CPEC is “merely an economic cooperation” project and not aimed at India.

The CPEC will connect Kashgar in northwestern China with Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan through a network of roads, railway lines, oil and gas pipelines and a fibre-optic cable. Chinese firms are also building a wide array of projects, including power plants and manufacturing units, along the route of the corridor.