China says 'atmosphere not right' for Modi-Xi meet at G20
PM Narendra Modi is unlikely to have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, which begins on July 7. "The atmosphere is not right for a bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi," a Chinese foreign ministry official said. The statement could be a reference to the Sikkim standoff.
#SikkimStandoff: Chinese daily says India must be taught 'bitter lesson'
An editorial published in China's state-owned Global Times said India must be taught a 'bitter lesson'. It also warned India that war with China could cause 'greater losses than in 1962'. The editorial is in reaction to Defence Minister Arun Jaitley's statement that the India of 2017 is different from the India of 1962. It comes amid the ongoing Sino-India border standoff near Sikkim.
What has happened so far?
China accused India of halting its road-construction in the Donglang area near Sikkim, while India says that it stopped the PLA which transgressed into the Doka La area and destroyed two bunkers. China also stopped Indian pilgrims from undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra through Nathu La from Sikkim to Tibet. Maintaining that Donglang is part of its territory, Bhutan accused China of violating its boundaries.
Chinese daily calls for Sikkim's independence, incitement of trouble
The Chinese official's statement comes amid an increasingly harshening rhetoric by Chinese state-controlled media about the standoff. An editorial in the nationalistic Global Times has called for Sikkim's "independence" and separation from India. It also calls for incitement of trouble in India's northeast states. The editorial accuses India of inheriting "the brutal colonial policies of Britain" post-independence and pursuing hegemony over small Himalayan nations.
Global Times linked to Chinese Communist Party
The Global Times is a tabloid affiliated to the Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece People's Daily. It is known for its nationalistic views and often publishes anti-India articles and editorials.
Editorial warns of continued Chinese support for Sikkim independence
The editorial has called on Beijing to re-adjust its 2003 recognition of India's sovereignty over Sikkim. It warned pro-independence voices in Sikkim will keep getting fuelled by individuals in Chinese society supporting Sikkim's separation. "With certain conditions, Bhutan and Sikkim will see strong anti-India movements," it added. These statements authenticate claims by Indian security forces that China is supporting unrest in India's northeast.
Editorial criticizes India for controlling Bhutan's defense and sovereignty
The editorial accuses India of having "startling control and oppression over Bhutan," which prevents it from establishing diplomatic ties with China and other countries. The editorial suggested that the Chinese government should rally the world to abolish the "unequal" treaties India has allegedly forced Bhutan to sign that "jeopardized Bhutan's diplomatic sovereignty and controls its national defence."
