China on Thursday urged to “avoid politicizing” the issue of the proposed G20 event in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) to be organized by India.
Zhao Lijian, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson while responding to a question on the proposed G20 event by India said that instead of focussing on the planned event, major economies should focus on the steady recovery of the world economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
\”The G20 is the premier forum for international economic and financial cooperation. We call on all major economies to focus on the steady recovery of the world economy, avoid politicizing relevant cooperation and make a positive contribution to improving global economic governance,” said Zhao.
He said that China’s position on Kashmir is consistent and clear-cut.
It is a legacy issue between India and Pakistan. It should be properly resolved in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and bilateral agreements.
Comments from China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson come after Pakistan rejected any Indian plans of holding certain G20 events in J-K.
Pakistan is reaching out to its close allies in the group of twenty – China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to boycott the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir.
India is set to assume the presidency of the G20 in December this year. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was appointed as India’s Sherpa for the G20 in September 2021.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India will hold the G-20 presidency from December 1, 2022, and convene the first G20 leaders’ summit in 2023.
India’s representation at G20 summits has been led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014.