Holding it for long China says, 'Washington's move is complicating the issue naming Azhar and is inconducive to peace and stability in South Asia'

New Delhi, April 3: Continuing to weave a web of troubles around the issue of naming Azhar, China on Wednesday moved hitting out at US for threatening to use all available resources to designate Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. “Washington's move is complicating the issue and not conducive to peace and stability in South Asia”, said Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.

 

“China is adopting constructive and reasonable stand on the issue to resolve it properly”, he added responding to the United States report claiming to utilise all available resources ensuring Azhar, was held accountable. “Vast majority of the UNSC members believe that efforts should be made under the 1267 Sanctions Committee to solve this designation through dialogue and consultation instead of pushing the draft resolution at the UNSC”, he added.

“Also China has been working hard with relevant sides and is making positive results. The US knows that very well. Under such circumstances the US still insists on pushing the draft resolution, doesn't make any sense," he reiterated commenting that US's action is not consistent with the UN rules and customary practice and sets a bad precedent.

“It is only complicating the issue and not conducive to peace and stability in South Asia. China will continue to adopt constructive and responsible attitude to participate in discussions and deliberations on the designation issue," he said hoping the issue to be resolved easily.

China has so far blocked the move to designate Azhar as a 'global terrorist' four times in recent years. After it put a hold on a French proposal to list Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council, the US on 27th of March had circulated a draft resolution to the powerful 15 nation Council to blacklist Azhar and subject him to a travel ban, an assets freeze and an arms embargo.

To another question that no evidence has come about the involvement of JeM in the terror attack in Pulwama and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Geng said, “On the recent incident in Kashmir, China has stated its position. We hope South Asia could maintain peace and stability and we hope India and Pakistan will engage in dialogue and through dialogue and consultation resolve outstanding issues."

India handed over a report to Pakistan in the month of February with specific details of Pakistan-based terror group JeM's complicity in the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel on 14th of February and the presence of JeM terror camps and its leadership in Pakistan. Even after this Pakistan, acting flagrant said that it has not found any link between the JeM and the Pulwama terror attack demanding more information and evidence from India.