CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE COMMENTS ON SITUATION AT DOKLAM
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Responding to recent observations by Indian Army Chief General Rawat and satellite photographs published by the Indian newspaper The Print, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang at the routine weekly press briefing in Beijing on January 18, 2018 asserted "China's position on the Donglang (Doklam) area is quite clear. Donglang always belonged to China and (was) always under China's effective jurisdiction. There is no dispute in this regard." Referring to reports of Chinese military construction in the area, Lu Kang said "It is legitimate and justified. Just as China will not make comments on India's construction of infrastructure in India's territory, we hope other countries will not make comments on China's construction of infrastructure in its own territory.".He clarified that " in order to patrol the border and improve the production and lives of of border troops and residents, China has constructed roads in the Donglong (Doklam) area." Asked about concerns that China is preparing for a second stand-off at the Doklam area, Lu Kang said that the Indian troops intervention to stop construction of a road close to the 'Chicken's Neck' corridor "has put bilateral ties to severe test". He added that it was General Rawat who "recognised that it was the Indian border troops who crossed the border... This incident has put bilateral relations to... severe test. We hope the Indian side can learn lessons from this and avoid the incident from happening again."
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