Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 7
Even as China is engaged in hostilities with India in the western part of the Royal Line of Control (LAC), it also reiterated its claim on Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern sector on Monday.
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The Chinese iteration took place in the context of five youths who disappeared on September 3, and locals alleged that the PLA had abducted them from Nacho village in Upper Subansiri district. Local media have reported that the kidnapping was witnessed by two people who were part of the group, but they managed to escape.
Asked about the missing youth from Arunachal Pradesh at a press conference, Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said: “China’s position regarding the eastern sector of the China-India border is say, the southern region of Tibet, is consistent and clear. We have never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh, illegally established on Chinese territory. As for the details (missing youth), now I am not aware. “
Beijing says it has no knowledge of 5 missing youth
We have never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh. As for the details (missing youth), now I am not aware. —Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
China had last raised the issue in mid-February, when the Union Interior Minister Amit Shah visited Arunachal Pradesh on the day of his statehood. The reaction of the Chinese MFA was stronger then, accusing the minister of violating China’s territorial sovereignty and undermining the stability of the border area.
The MEA then responded with its standard reaction, reiterating that Arunachal was an “integral and inalienable part” of India and adding that “opposing a visit by any Indian leader to Arunachal Pradesh has no reason or understanding of India” . .
This time, however, the Chinese objection, although milder than the previous reaction, comes as the LAC standoff in eastern Ladakh shows no signs of abating even after a recent meeting of the two Defense Ministers in Moscow and several rounds of military and diplomatic talks.
Tagin tribe upset with authorities
The five missing boys belong to the Tagin tribe. The Union of Students of All Tagin, while condemning China for ‘kidnapping teenagers’, accused authorities on Monday of not paying enough attention to the strategically important area of the country.
