China wants a finger in Kashmir problem

Diplomatic sources said this was the first time China was publicly suggesting the convening of a multilateral meeting to discuss the Kashmir issue and it more or less confirms to US President Bill Clinton’s view that China should be involved in settling the differences between India and Pakistan.

“Indian government officials should stop spreading the `China Menace’ theory, which will create suspicion and hostility between the two peoples,” the article quoting leading Chinese experts on SouthAsia warns.

“The Indian government’s unreasonable attacks on China deeply hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and undermine the mutual trust the two countries have been trying to build over generations,” says MA Jiali, an expert with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR).

The article says that China has clearly stated that its military modernisation does not target any other nation and it was in line with China’s national defence needs.

Ouyang Liping, an expert with the CICIR points out that China has consistently adhered to the policy of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and denies aiding Pakistan’s clandestine nuclear programme.

“China’s nuclear co-operation with foreign countries, including Pakistan, is strictly limited to peaceful use of nuclear energy and is subject to the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” he says.

The latest outburst from Beijing comes in the wake of the Ministry of Defence annual report (1997-98) whichChina says plays the `old trick’ of spreading the `China Menace theory’ to hide India’s ambitions of building “regional hegemony and becoming a major political power.”

“In the report, the Indian government did not examine its mistake in provoking a dangerous nuclear arms race. It vilified China as the main reason for the deterioration of South Asia’s security environment instead,” the article says.

Describing the BJP-led government as `headstrong,’ the article accuses New Delhi of conducting the May 11 and 13 nuclear tests to gain `hegemony’ in the region and also criticised the hike in its military budget.

“India’s recent nuclear explosions reflect a dangerous ultra-nationalism and its ambition to build a regional hegemony and become a major political power,” Ouyang says, adding that some Indian politicians’ accusation that China threatens India’s security is `untenable’ and `groundless.’

“Continuously denying its faults and spreading lies will not win sympathy or trust from others but willmake the international community more vigilant against its ambitions,” said Jiali.

“India should first abandon its nuclear development plan unconditionally so as to `convince’ Pakistan to follow its steps,” Jiali says while pointing out that only if New Delhi and Islamabad unconditionally signs the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), can the danger of a nuclear war be reduced in South Asia.