China opposes external interference on border issue

China firmly opposes any form of interference by a third party on the China-India boundary issue, Tan Kefei, a Defense Ministry spokesman, said on Thursday, stressing military exercises between countries should not target any third party.

The spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense made the remarks after a 20-day joint exercise conducted by India and United States special forces in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh in the southern foothills of the Himalayas since August. In addition, some media previously reported the US and Indian militaries plan to hold a joint military exercise in the areas close to the China-India border in October, focusing on plateau mountain combating capability.

"We are closely watching the situation," Tan said. "We have been stressing that defense cooperation, especially drills, between relevant countries ought not to target any third party and should be conducive to regional peace and stability."

The China-India boundary issue is a matter between the two countries who have maintained effective communication at all levels and agree to properly handle the situation through bilateral dialogue, Tan said.

According to agreements signed by China and India in 1993 and 1996, the two sides are not allowed to conduct military exercises targeting each other in areas near the Line of Actual Control, said Tan, also a senior colonel with the People's Liberation Army. He expressed firm opposition to any form of third-party interference on the boundary issue.

"It is hoped the Indian side will strictly abide by the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and their agreements," he said, calling on the Indian side to honor its commitment to solve the boundary issue through bilateral channels and take concrete action to maintain peace in the border areas.