Beijing: Criticising the Indian media and opposition parties for “creating trouble” for Sino-India ties, an official daily here today blamed New Delhi for “maintaining silence and ambiguity” over “provocative” reports of intrusion by Chinese troops into Despang valley in Ladakh.
“Indian media and opposition politicians have been reporting that Chinese soldiers intruded on Indian-claimed territory and erected tents inside Indian borders,” the ruling Communist Party run ‘Global Times’ said in an editorial, the first by state media here after the controversy broke out last month.
Such reports run along the same lines as those in 2009 that alleged Chinese soldiers had entered into India and painted the rocks with red spray paint, it said.
“The Indian public has been informed about Chinese troops’ intrusion,” while provocative words uttered by Indian media and politicians can be read by Chinese people online.
However, the reality is that communication over border issues between China and India has usually been smooth. Officials from both sides speak highly about the peaceful state of border areas,” it said.
“There have been discrepancies between the two concerning the exact position of the Line of Actual Control (LAC),” indirectly referring to China’s stand that its troops have not crossed the LAC.
“Troops from both sides patrol around their claimed border lines, but both try to avoid causing any real frictions,” it said in the editorial titled ‘New Delhi bears brunt of border hysteria’.
“The Indian government ought to clarify the so-called “intrusion” in a timely way and assume the responsibility of maintaining a good atmosphere. However, it hasn’t done so. It has remained silent and ambiguous, which indulges Indian media habits,” it said.
Referring to a report in the Indian media about Chinese bloggers hostile comments calling for teaching a lesson to India, it said such “nonsense will influence mainstream society”.
“Indian media have continuously created trouble for the Sino-Indian relationship,” it said.
India seems to be in the driving seat of the bilateral relationship.
“Indian policy toward China can be fickle, while China’s levers for balancing the relationship are much simpler and scarcer,” it said.
“Therefore, Indian media and opposition should be balanced, so as to prevent them from enjoying privileges outside intergovernmental communications and negotiations,” it said.
“Either the Indian government should stand up to report true information to Indian society, or it should let Chinese public opinion contend with India’s,” it said.
“Taking claims to its borders is of crucial significance to China and peace and stability along the border are also vital to India,” it said.
“Current peace and status quo is not bestowed by India alone. China should firmly maintain its friendly policy toward India. However, this doesn’t mean that China will ignore provocations. Otherwise, the unhealthy tendency of hyping up China will keep happening,” it said.
