China expresses deep regret over Indian FM's remarks on border issue

BEIJING - China says here Tuesday that it deeply regretted Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee's remarks calling the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" part of India's territory. "We deeply regret the Indian side's remarks, that take no regard of the historical facts. China and India have never officially settled demarcation of borders, and China's stance on the eastern section of China-India borders is consistent and clear-cut," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular press conference Tuesday afternoon. Qin said the current Chinese government, as well as previous ones, has never recognized the illegal "McMahon Line", and the Indian side is very clear about that. Qin was commenting on remarks made by Mukherjee in the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh", in which he said that the area is an inalienable part of India's territory and India will suggest to China that the border be opened for trade. As for the boundary issue between China and India, the spokesman added China is willing to find a solution, which is fair, reasonable and acceptable to the two sides, through peaceful and friendly negotiation in the spirit of mutual understanding and adjustment.

India should be "fully aware" that China's stand on the two countries' outstanding border issue is always consistent and clear-cut, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Tuesday."The Sino-India boundary issue has never been officially settled, and China is always against the illegal McMahon line," he told a regular press conference in Beijing."It was a shame India claimed it publicly, regardless of historical facts," Qin said. Pointing out that China would like to work with India to find a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable" solution to the boundary question, he said peaceful and friendly bilateral dialogue is necessary for both sides. Also yesterday, Qin said China's "fast and stable economic development is its biggest contribution to the world".  The country faces many challenges as a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion, but China would like to cooperate with the international community in the face of the global economic crisis, he said.  Accordingly, the central government unveiled a 4-trillion yuan ($586 billion) stimulus plan on Sunday. President Hu Jintao will exchange ideas on how to address the economic crisis with other top leaders of the Group of 20 nations at a Washington Summit this week. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Commerce Minister Chen Deming are preparing to attend the 20th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Lima, Peru, Qin said.