China mediated between India and Pakistan during May clash – Beijing

The confrontation in South Asia was one of the hotspot issues which the Chinese government tried to resolve, Wang Yi has said

Beijing mediated between India and Pakistan during their four-day military conflict in May, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a symposium titled ‘International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations,’ Wang also recalled Beijing’s role in mediating conflicts in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, PTI news agency reported.

“To build peace that lasts, we have taken an objective and just stance, and focused on addressing both symptoms and root causes,” Wang said. “Following this Chinese approach to settling hotspot issues, we mediated in northern Myanmar, the Iranian nuclear issue, the tensions between Pakistan and India, the issues between Palestine and Israel, and the recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.”

The South Asian neighbors were involved in a military conflict which lasted from May 7-10, which ended with a ceasefire.

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A few hours before the ceasefire was announced by India and Pakistan, Wang held a telephone conversation with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, where the Chinese Foreign Minister called for the South Asian neighbors to handle their differences through “dialogue and consultation.” 

Wang also spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar that day; he told him that China hoped for and supported an early ceasefire. “Once a ceasefire is reached, it must be jointly observed to prevent the recurrence of conflict,” Wang said, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “This serves the interests of both Pakistan and India, contributes to regional peace and stability, and meets the common expectations of the international community. China is willing to continue playing a positive role in this regard.”

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly taken credit for brokering the ceasefire between the nuclear-armed rivals by threatening to reduce trade with them. New Delhi has denied Trump’s claims, stating that a ceasefire was the result of direct talks between the Director General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan.