China on Wednesday clarified that it withdrew its objection to the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar after consulting with the parties concerned.
“After careful study of the revised materials and taking into consideration the opinions of parties concerned, China did not have objection to the listing proposal,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a routine press briefing. He remarked that the 1267 Committee of the United Nations Security Council had a detailed criteria for the listing procedures. “China always believes that the relevant work should be carried out in an objective, unbiased and professional manner and based on solid evidence and consensus among all parties,” he added.
Geng Shaung said on the listing issue, China had been communicating with the relevant parties in a constructive and responsible manner. He said recently the relevant countries had revised and re-submitted the materials for the listing proposal to the 1267 Committee. “After careful study of the revised materials, China did not have objection to the listing proposal,” he added. “The proper settlement of the above-mentioned issue again shows that in international counter-terrorism cooperation, we have to uphold the rules and procedures of relevant UN body, follow the principle of mutual respect, resolve differences and build consensus through dialogue, and prevent politicizing technical issues,” he asserted.
The spokesperson reiterated that China’s position on the Kashmir issue is clear and consistent that it should be properly resolved through negotiations by the relevant parties.
“The approval of listing of Masood Azhar has nothing to do with the Kashmir issue and will not affect China’s position on the longstanding dispute,” he clarified. “China’s position on the Kashmir issue is clear-cut and consistent. This is an issue left over from the past between India and Pakistan and should be properly resolved through consultation and negotiation by relevant parties,” he maintained.
He said Pakistan has made enormous contributions to fighting terrorism, which deserve full recognition by the international community. “China will continue to firmly support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorist and extremist forces,” he concluded.