Beijing: China on Friday justified its massive construction activities in the Dokalam area and asked India not to comment on its ‘legitimate’ infrastructure development on its sovereign territory.
China’s reaction came amid reports that it was building a huge military complex close to the site of the Dokalam standoff with India. Asked about reports citing satellite imagery of a Chinese military complex in the area, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said: “I have also noted the relevant report. I don’t know who offered such kind of photos.”
But at same time he said he did not have detailed information on it. The reports raised concerns that the China may be preparing for another standoff with India. Lu, however, said: “China’s position on the Donglong (Dokalam) area is quite clear. Donglong always belonged to China and always under China’s effective jurisdiction.
There is no dispute in this regard,” he said asserting Chinese sovereignty over the area which is also claimed by Bhutan.
“It is legitimate and justified. Just as China will not make comments on India’s construction of infrastructure on India’s territory. We hope other countries will not make comments on China’s construction of infrastructure in its own territory,” he said.
He said China is building infrastructure for its troops and the people living in the area. “In order to patrol the border and improve the production and lives of border troops and residents, China has constructed infrastructure including roads in the Donglong (Dokalam) area,” Lu said. He said China was exercising sovereignty in its own territory.
Asked about concerns that China is preparing for a second standoff at Dokalam area, he said Indian troops’ intervention to stop building a key road close the Chicken Neck Corridor of India, has put the bilateral ties to severe test. Indian and Chinese troops had been locked in a stand-off for over two months last year in the Dokalam area near Sikkim before ‘disengaging’ on August 28.(PTI)
