China defends raising Kashmir issue at UNSC to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions

Stoutly defending its decision to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council as an attempt to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions and out of "good will", China on Friday claimed that "most of the members" of the Council have voiced their concern over the situation in the Valley.

China's comments came a day after India asserted that Beijing's latest attempt to raise the Kashmir issue at the UNSC on Pakistan's behalf has failed, with an overwhelming majority of the 15-member body expressing the view that it was not the right forum to discuss the bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.

China, Pakistan's 'all-weather ally', on Wednesday made the fresh pitch to raise the Kashmir issue under "other matters" during a closed meeting in the UN Security Council Consultations Room.

Answering a barrage of questions at a media briefing here on why China is backing Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue in the UNSC, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, "China's position is consistent and clear. This issue is a dispute left from history and should be properly resolved following the UN charter, UNSC resolutions, and bilateral treaties and in a peaceful way."
Replying to a questing on why only China, among all the members, is making such claims, whereas no other member of the body has spoken about it, Geng said, "Indeed the UNSC reviewed the Kashmir issue on January 15 and there was no statement. But China as a permanent member participated in the review meeting and what I said was in line with the review. But if you think this is not true then you can look at other sources."
When asked to name other countries he referred to, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said, "If you do not trust our views you may refer to other sites for information."
Commenting on India's statement, Geng said, "India's attitude and views, we understand them. But what I said was China's views and stance. I believe that India is aware of that and we have been in contact on that."
To a question on why China is raising the Kashmir issue at the UNSC, when the top leaders of India and China made efforts to improve relations through informal summits, creating a negative perception among Indians, Geng said, "Because we want to work for de-escalation and work for regional peace and stability. This is out of good will. However, if the Indian side interprets it in other way, that will be a wrong interpretation."
About India's decision to invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in the meeting of the Heads of the governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries, Geng said, "SCO is a regional cooperation organisation. India and Pakistan are members of it. Both the countries, we hope, can work together closely under this framework for the healthy development of this organisation."