NEW DELHI, India: On the eve ‘of the seventh round of border talks between China and India, the Chinese position seems to have hardened considerably.
Chinese vice Foreign Minister Li Shu who led his country’s delegation to the last round of talks in Delhi, said the China considers the eastern sector of the common border to be the main problem.
He said that India was in possession of 90000 square km of terrority that has traditionally been of China’s.
He asserted that even during the colonial period the rulers of India did not advance in this area,
Li Shu told visiting Indian newsmen in Beijing “It is not responsible to expect China to make concessions unilaterally that will not solve the problem,” He added.
‘Li Shu, who will lead the Chinese team at the next round of border talks in June or July said, “we hope that India will make some adjustments and concessions in the eastern sector of the boundary and dismissed actual control as a basis for a settlement.
The Minister said if India was willing to make concessions in the cast, the Chinese would certainly consider making the same regarding the western border.
Li Shu said there was no clear border demarcation anywhere along the Indo-China boundary but 2 traditional lines had existed for Centuries and border people observed the line
Therefore history has to take into account, he stressed, and adding that at the same time realities must be noted.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 20, 1986
