Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian expressed this hope hours after India and China accused each other of shooting into the air near Lake Pangong on the Line of Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh on Monday.
Full coverage: India-China showdown
The Indian Army said Chinese troops fired into the air and attempted to approach an Indian position in eastern Ladakh on Monday, as it rejected accusations by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that it transgressed in LAC.
The army’s remarks came after the PLA late Monday night alleged that Indian troops crossed the LAC and “scandalously fired” warning shots near Pangong Lake.
LAC situation: live updates
The use of firearms throughout LAC marks a serious escalation in border tensions, as the previous instance of shooting at the de facto border was in 1975.
Spokesman Zhao spoke about the disengagement when asked at a press conference about restoring the status quo by disengaging the troops.
“You have a good wish. We all hope that our troops return to their camp area and that there will be no more fighting in the border areas.
“You know that this place has very bad natural conditions and is over 4,000 meters high,” he added.
“In winter, this is not good for human life. So we hope that through diplomatic and military channels and through consultations on the ground, we can achieve disengagement as soon as possible and reach consensus. ”
India has already asked China to work together to achieve “total de-escalation and disengagement” in LAC, saying the future of the bilateral relationship depends on the situation along the border.
This is the first time in the four-month-long border standoff that China has officially recognized the harsh conditions of the mountainous Ladakh region in winter, where temperatures plummet to minus 30 degrees Celsius, posing significant health risks to the thousands of troops mobilized by the government. two armies.
Reports from the area said both sides were arranging for a prolonged confrontation, especially in the Pangong Lake area, where troops were stationed eye to eye with heavy weapons and armory.
Echoing the PLA’s comments, Zhao tried to blame Indian troops for firing warning shots first on Monday.
When asked about Indian accusations that it was Chinese troops that first took provocative measures, he read the statement from the PLA Western Theater command spokesman on Monday alleging that Indian troops illegally crossed the LAC and They “scandalously fired warning shots” at the Chinese border patrol soldiers forcing them to take countermeasures.
“I also want to emphasize in this incident, the Indian side fired first at the Chinese border troops. It is the first time since 1975 that the shots disrupt the tranquility. And the Chinese side always emphasizes that both sides should peacefully resolve our differences through dialogue and consultation. The confrontation will not benefit either, “he said.
When asked what kind of consultations and countermeasures the Chinese troops have taken, Zhao said that “through diplomatic and military channels we have made stern statements calling on the Indian side to immediately stop its dangerous actions, immediately remove people who they cross the line and discipline their front – line troops and those who fired the warning shots and then make sure it doesn’t happen again. ”
“I currently have no further information for you. I think I made China’s position clear on this, ”he said when asked if the PLA troops responded.
.
