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BEIJING, Jan 13 (APP):India’s recent accusations of China’s infrastructure development projects in the Shaksgam Valley, coupled with its denial of the China-Pakistan border agreement and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), are entirely unfounded and devoid of any legal or factual basis. Such remarks reflect a disregard for historical facts and run counter to the basic norms of international relations.
This was stated by Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute, a non-governmental Chinese think-tank on diplomacy and international studies based in Beijing.
He said, first, the Shaksgam Valley is an inalienable part of China’s territory—a fact firmly established by history and international law. China’s infrastructure development in its own territory constitutes the legitimate and inherent right of a sovereign state, which no other country has the authority to interfere with. India’s groundless assertion that the valley belongs to it is a misrepresentation of history and cannot alter the objective reality of China’s territorial sovereignty.
Second, the China-Pakistan border agreement signed in the 1960s is a legally binding document negotiated and concluded on an equal footing between two sovereign states. It has effectively delineated the border between the two countries and has been strictly observed by both sides for decades. India’s arbitrary denial of this agreement constitutes a disrespect for the sovereignty of China and Pakistan, as well as for the outcomes of bilateral negotiations, he added.
Furthermore, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a mutually beneficial economic cooperation initiative aimed at boosting regional economic development and improving people’s livelihoods. It does not involve territorial disputes and in no way affects China’s consistent position on the Kashmir issue. India’s attempt to link CPEC to so-called “illegal occupation” is a deliberate distortion of CPEC’s nature and an act that undermines regional cooperation and stability.
In conclusion, India’s relevant remarks lack factual and legal support. It is hoped that India will respect historical facts, uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, and refrain from unfounded accusations—thereby creating a conducive environment for the peaceful resolution of regional issues, he concluded.