Reviving Kailash-Mansarovar yatra to ‘inject new impetus' in India-China ties, direct flights to follow: Chinese Ambassador to India
Excerpts from the written Interview:
Q: About 8-9 batches of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been completed or are underway, and we were able to meet Indian pilgrims there. For the Chinese government, what is the significance of the restoration of the pilgrimage?
A: The Kangrínboqê Fēng (Mount Kailash) and Mapam Yuco (Mansarovar) in Xizang (Tibet Autonomous Region/TAR) are regarded as 'sacred mountain and lake' by followers of several religions, including Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. The visit of Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake in [Tibet] is a special arrangement made by the Chinese side to show friendliness to the Indian people, accommodate the religious sentiments of the Indian people, and enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
A: During the preparation process, the Chinese side overcame many difficulties and invested a large amount of manpower and resources. Recently, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two sides, the pilgrimage to the sacred mountain and lake has resumed and is proceeding in an orderly manner. The Indian Defence Minister and Minister of External Affairs expressed their appreciation to the Chinese side during their visit to China, and the Indian people also responded enthusiastically. This will help to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries, and inject new impetus into the improvement and development of China-India relations.
Q: Is KMY expected to pave the way for other people-to-people ties, including travel, trade and investment? How soon do you expect direct flights between India and China to begin, and what will be the frequency?
A: Resuming the pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake in [Tibet] is an important initiative taken by China to improve relations between the two countries. It fully demonstrates China's sincerity and trustworthiness. We hope and believe that the Indian side will work for the shared goal of promoting new developments in cooperation in areas such as investment, trade and tourism between the two countries. Currently, the government departments of both China and India, as well as major airlines, have done a lot of work for the resumption of direct flights. We hope that direct flights between the two countries will be launched as soon as possible.
Q: There have been reports of a number of differences over economic issues- China is believed to have objected to India's FDI restrictions, and legal cases against Chinese businesses, while in India, China is perceived to have blocked exports of Critical minerals and fertilizers, and recalled Chinese personnel from Foxconn/Apple factories. How do you expect these to be resolved?
A: Standing at a new historical starting point, both China and India are at a critical stage of their respective modernisation. Development is the 'greatest common denominator' between the two nations at present. China has always supported strengthening cooperation between China and India in the economic and trade fields. We hope that India will work together with China to take more measures conducive to bilateral economic and trade exchanges, add incentive policies and reduce restrictive measures, so as to promote China-India economic and trade cooperation to a new level.
Q: Has Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his attendance at the SCO Summit later this year, and would there be a bilateral visit or meeting as well?
A: China will hold the SCO summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025. We welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the SCO Tianjin summit. PM Modi said earlier that India fully supports China's SCO presidency. Not long ago India's NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended relevant SCO meetings in China. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited China and participated in the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, noting that India fully supports China, as the rotating chair, in hosting a successful SCO summit.
A: The SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting was successfully held recently and made full political preparations for the upcoming SCO Tianjin summit.
Q: At the SCO Defence Minister's meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs said that one country held up the joint statement over references to terrorism and in particular the Pahalgam Terror attack. As Chair, how does China explain the lack of a statement on terrorism at the SCO, an organisation that was founded with a priority on issues of terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, and how confident is China of a joint statement at the FM meet/ Summit?
A: The SCO adheres to the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilisations and pursuit of common development. The Shanghai Spirit is the very root and soul of the SCO and the key to its strong vitality. According to this 'code of conduct' of the SCO family, member states can equally express their positions, but also should avoid bringing bilateral conflicts into the multilateral platform.
A: Unilateralism and bullying are now forcing their way and bringing serious challenges to the world. As the two most populous emerging economies, China and India need to enhance cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and BRICS, resolutely uphold multilateralism, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Q: Even as India and China restore their exchanges to bring a 'semblance of normalcy', as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a statement, what is the next step on the Line of Actual Control? While both sides agreed to disengage in October 2024, has there been any progress on de-escalation and demobilisation of troops there?
A: At present, the situation in the China-India border areas is generally stable. Last October, China and India reached resolutions on relevant issues concerning the border area after intensive consultations and negotiations, and fully and effectively pushed forward their implementation. Last December, based on the important consensus reached by the two leaders in Kazan, China and India held the 23rd Special Representatives' Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question. The two sides held substantive talks and reached a six-point consensus on the China-India boundary question in a positive and constructive attitude. This March, the two sides held the 33rd Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs and agreed to take concrete and effective measures to continuously maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. In the next stage, China is willing to maintain communication with India through diplomatic and military channels, and in the spirit of equal consultation and mutual and equal security, further refine the border area management and control rules and strengthen confidence-building measures, so as to achieve sustainable peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
Q: The Deputy Chief of the Indian Army has alleged that China provided 'all possible support' to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor including live inputs during the 4-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May. What is your response and has India raised its concerns about military interference from China in the conflict?
A: After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, China strongly condemned it immediately, reiterating its firm opposition to all forms of terrorism. China has been closely following the situation between India and Pakistan and actively promoting talks for peace. Foreign Minister Wang Yi had phone conversations with India's NSA Ajit Doval and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar respectively.
A: India and Pakistan are and will always be each other's neighbours, and both are China's important neighbours. The realisation of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides, and conducive to regional peace and stability, which is also the common expectation of the international community. China welcomes and supports India and Pakistan to properly settle their differences and seek fundamental solutions through dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to continue playing a constructive role to this end.
A: During the recent meeting with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised that China-India relations have their own historical logic and internal driving force, and the relationship does not target any third party, nor should it be disrupted by any third party. Similarly, the development of relations and cooperation between China and Pakistan does not target any third party. Defence and security cooperation is part of the normal cooperation between China and Pakistan.
Q: Given that it is an annual practice, why did the Chinese MFA object to PM Modi's birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama?
A: The 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaging in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion and attempting to split [Tibet] from China. China consistently and firmly opposes any form of engagement between officials of any country and the 14th Dalai Lama. At present, the improvement and development of China-India relations are at a critical stage, and both sides need to respect each other's core interests and major concerns. China hopes that the Indian side could be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of [Tibet]-related issues, be fully aware of the 14th Dalai Lama's anti-China and separatist nature, stick to its commitment on [Tibet]-related issues, stop using [Tibet]-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, and refrain from any form of contacts with the Dalai group or providing any form of support or convenience for the Dalai group to carry out anti-China separatist activities, so as not to disrupt the process of improving and developing China-India relations.
Q: Does the issue of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, which the MEA says the government has 'no position' on, have a bearing on India-China ties as well?
A: We have noted the MEA of India's response to media queries regarding the statement by the 14th Dalai Lama. However, it cannot be denied that some officials of India openly expressed their welcome and support for the statement by the 14th Dalai Lama and attended his 90th birthday celebration. Some people from strategic communities and the media made improper remarks on the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. Such words and deeds are, in essence, promoting interference in China's internal affairs using [Tibet]-related issues, contrary to Indian government's public stance.
A: Let me reiterate that [Tibet] is an inalienable part of China's territory. The lineage of the Dalai Lamas took shape and evolved within [TAR]. The religious status and titles are the prerogative of the central government of China. The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China. The Chinese government upholds the principle of independence and self-governance in religious affairs and administers the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, including that of the Dalai Lama, in accordance with the law. No interference by any external forces will be allowed. Hope the Indian side could know what truly matters and what's right, and honour its commitments made to China on [Tibet]-related issues.
Q: Are there at present, any talks, or plans for talks between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama (as there have been in the past)?
A: The Chinese government upholds two fundamental principles when it comes to contact and talks with the 14th Dalai Lama. First, we would only have contact and talks with him or his personal representative, not with the so-called 'Central Tibetan Administration.' Second, any contact or talks, if they occur, will only concern the personal future of the 14th Dalai Lama himself or, at most, a small number of people close to him.
A: We are prepared to engage in talks with the 14th Dalai Lama regarding his personal future, provided he genuinely renounces the position aimed at splitting the motherland, completely ceases all separatist activities, publicly recognizes [Tibet] and Taiwan as integral parts of China, publicly recognises the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China.
Q: In the past few years, China has created groupings on COVID and poverty alleviation in South Asia that don't include India. Is there an attempt to create a 'SAARC minus India', or are there possibilities for China and India to cooperate in the region?
A: China is always committed to the neighbourhood policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. By enhancing Political mutual trust, carrying out Inclusive cooperation and injecting impetus into Economic empowerment, China looks forward to joining hands with South Asian countries to make a bigger 'PIE' of cooperation, to promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
A: 'P' stands for Political Trust. At present, China, India and other South Asian countries are at a critical stage of modernisation. China stands ready to cooperate with India to enable South Asian people to share peace and stability .'I' stands for Inclusive Cooperation. In recent years, China has initiated cooperation mechanisms such as the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, the China-South Asia Exposition, the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation, and has recently held the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan Vice Foreign Minister/Foreign Secretary meeting, enhancing the well-being of all the people through open cooperation. These cooperation mechanisms are by no means a closed and confrontational 'small circle'. It does not target any third party and will not be disrupted by any third party. China always welcomes India's participation in all the platforms above and looks forward to carrying out trilateral cooperation with India in South Asia, leveraging our respective strengths to produce the effect in which 1+1+1>3. 'E' stands for Economic Empowerment. Over the past 12 years since China presented the Belt and Road Initiative, trade between China and South Asian countries has doubled from less than US$100 billion to about US$200 billion.
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