China calls for proper and timely settlement of border issues

China today called for "proper and timely" settlement of the boundary issues with India to preserve peace at the borders in the light of the row over Depsang Valley in Ladakh where the troops of People's Liberation Army intruded recently.
"Proper and timely settlement of border issues serves the common interests of both the countries and is also their common aspiration," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said replying to a question seeking details of the settlement of the fortnight long stand-off that ended on Sunday.
"The handling of the incidents also shows that the two countries agreed to protect the safety and security and peace of border areas and it is also the result of joint efforts," she said ahead of External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid's two-day visit of China starting tomorrow.

"We would like to continue to work with the Indian side to safeguard peace and stability of the border areas for sound and steady development of China and India relations," Hua told a media briefing here.
During his visit, Khurshid will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and would meet Premier Li Keqiang, who is gearing up to visit India later this month, making it the first stop of his maiden foreign tour after assuming the post in March.
Asked for details of Khurshid's visit, Hua said that he will hold talks with Wang and meet Chinese leaders but did not disclose which of the leaders he would be meeting.

Hoping that Khurshid's visit will push forward bilateral relations, Hua also stressed the importance of the two sides to resolve the boundary issues in view of the DBO incident.
Khurshid's visit is seen as prelude to the visit of Li to India and the Chinese leader's programme was expected to come up for discussions during their meeting, officials said.