Beijing : China has issued a safety advisory for its citizens staying in or travelling to India in the backdrop of the ongoing standoff between the troops of the two countries in the Sikkim sector.
The note advised Chinese citizens to pay attention to the security situation in India as well as to personal security. “The Chinese Embassy in India is reminding Chinese citizens to pay close attention to the local security situation, improve self-protection awareness, strengthen security, reduce unnecessary travel,” the note said. It also asked Chinese citizens to carry identification documents, adding that they must strictly obey Indian laws and regulations.
The advisory, issued through the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, will be valid till August 7. It did not specify why it was being issued. “It is not a travel alert. It is advisory asking Chinese travellers to be careful,” a foreign ministry official said.
“The Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety and lawful rights of Chinese citizens,” Geng Shuang, Foreign Ministry spokesperson had said earlier. “In accordance with the security condition of the relevant country, we will decide whether or not to issue a travel alert,” he added.
Border troops from China and India have been locked in the standoff in the Doklam area near the Bhutan tri-junction for the past three weeks after a Chinese Army’s construction party attempted to build a road. Dok La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.
