China slams US recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory

China slams US recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory

The Chinese military has rebuked the United States for its assertion that Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India, emphasising that India and China possess mature mechanisms, communication channels and the willingness to address border issues through dialogue and consultations.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s defence ministry, criticised the United States on Thursday, accusing it of having a poor track record of fuelling disputes between other nations for its interests. Wu Qian stated that the international community is well aware of these actions. This response came following recent statements by the US affirming its recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory.

The United States recognised Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts by China to advance its territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a senior Biden administration official had said last week.

Wu said there are mature mechanisms and communication channels between China and India on border issues. “The two sides have the ability and willingness to properly handle the boundary question through dialogue and consultations”, he said.

He was reacting to the US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel’s statement on March 9 stating that “the United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control.”

Wu also reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is part of China’s territory.”Zangnan (China’s official name for Arunachal Pradesh) has been China’s territory since ancient times. This is an undeniable fact,” he said, replying to a Chinese official media question about the External Affairs Ministry’s remarks describing China’s claim as “absurd” and “ludicrous”. “Where does the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ come from?” he said.

With inputs from PTI.