CHINA-INDIA: FACE OFF AT SIKKIM
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The front page of a People's Daily edition of the 1962 war period has been in circulation on Weibo and Wechat since July 12, 2017.
An article published in the Global Times on July 3, 2017, quoted Wang Dehua, a Professor at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, as saying -- in response to the Indian Defence Minister's obsevation that India today is not the India of 1962 -- that "China is also different from what it was in 1962" and India has been treating China as its biggest competitor since 1962, as both countries share many similarities. For instance, they are both developing countries with huge populations. The Global Times quoted observers as saying "There could be a chance of war if the recent conflict between China and India is not handled properly, noting that China will resolutely defend its territory and safeguard the border". It quoted observers as saying too that "even in the event of a China-India war, the US is unlikely to directly get involved, though it may sell weapons to India". It said "Experts called on both sides to resolve the conflict through dialogue and negotiations". Interestingly, the article mentioned that , Sudheendra Kulkarni, Chairman of the Observer Research Foundation Mumbai, had earlier told Global Times that "India did not attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which was held in May in Beijing. India will deprive itself of huge benefits if it stays out of the inter-continental, collaborative agenda mooted by China and endorsed by large parts of the world" ... which is going to be "the most powerful economic growth engine in world history."
Earlier on July 2, 2017, China's official news agency Xinhua urged India to 'shed its anxiety about China's rise and join the OBOR'. It also said "Harboring suspicion and apprehension toward China's intention, India has recently decided to stay away from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, citing sovereignty concerns as its main reason.The reason raised by India may be understandable, but staying away from the initiative is not the best choice New Delhi could have made. It could have voiced its concerns and opinions on public occasions or in official statements as China is always willing to discuss all problems and possibilities with India on the basis of mutual benefits".
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