BEIJING, China: China has expressed concern over the recent exchange of fire between Pakistani and Indian troops along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary, and called for restraint.
“As the neighbor and friend of both Pakistan and India, the Chinese side calls on both parties to exercise restraint,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
The spokesperson made these remarks when asked to comment on recent exchanges of fire between troops of two nuclear-armed countries in the border areas.
Lei said that China hopes that both sides will keep the situation under control through dialogue and consultation and properly resolve difference and work jointly to safeguard peace, stability and development of South Asia.
Both Pakistan and India continue to exchange allegations of ceasefire violations along the LoC and the Working Boundary which have even further deteriorated already tense relations between the two countries.
According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Indian troops have violated the ceasefire seventh times along the Sialkot Working Boundary since December 31, and which also left two Punjab Rangers personnel and four civilians dead.
On January 5, the United States also voiced concern over rising tension and exchange of firing along the international border between Pakistan and India.
“We certainly remain concerned and watch over tensions along the border, and we encourage dialogue between the countries,” the US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said at a news briefing in Washington.
