China working on consensus document on Silk Road projects

Playing down India's concerns over the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China said today that it was working with other countries to hammer out a consensus document on the Silk Road projects which will be adopted at a summit here this month.
"We are negotiating an outcome document with relevant countries attending the (Belt and Road) Forum," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a media briefing while replying to a question on the misgivings of many countries on China's mega Silk Road initiative called the Belt and Road project.
Twenty-eight heads of states and government, including the presidents of the Philippines and Vietnam, with whom China has maritime disputes will be attending the two-day Belt and Road Forum to be held here on May 14 and 15.

"The document will be a readout of extensive consultations and gather collective wisdom and consensus instead of representing China's views alone," Geng said.
Asked about the concerns over the Belt and Road (B&R) projects passing through disputed areas, Geng referred to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and reiterated that it will not have any impact on the Kashmir issue.
"About B&R may include some disputed sites, this is not a new issue. We have said many times, CPEC will not affect China's position on Kashmir," Geng said.

"We always believe that the Kashmir issue is between India and Pakistan. It is left over issue from history. We hope that the two sides can properly settle through consultation and negotiation," he said, repeating his remarks on the CPEC which he made two days ago.

India which lodged protests over the CPEC passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is yet to name its delegation that would take part in the forum.
Though objecting to the CPEC, India is a participant in the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor.
Officials of 110 countries will attend the forum, Geng said.
"If the initiative is indeed is manipulated by China and people cannot benefit, I do not think they will participate so actively. I want to finally stress that we are ready to work with all relevant sides to ensure the success of the forum," Geng said.
From South Asia, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Sri Lankan Premier Wickremesinghe will attend the forum.

However, the US, Australia, Japan and many western countries have decided to stay away.
China, however, is pleased that the Presidents of the Philippines and Vietnam, the two countries with whom it has disputes in the South China Sea, will attend the meeting.
Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines and Vietnam's Tran Dai Quang will take part in the forum during which China plans to work out a new road map for ties "under the new circumstances", which some believe stems from the Philippines' decision to accept Chinese investments in return of pushing the maritime dispute under the carpet.
The Philippines along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei besides Taiwan has claims over the South China Sea area.

Like the Philippines, China wants Vietnam, which has moved closer to India in recent years, to fall in line.
President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders will hold talks with Vietnamese President, Geng said.
"They will have in-depth discussion on how the two sides can consolidate good neighbourliness, friendship and deepen practical cooperation under the new circumstances and clarify the direction of the bilateral relations in the next phase," he said.