China: China expressed “deep concern” on Saturday ( May 10 ) over the escalating situation between India and Pakistan and offered to play a constructive role in resolving the matter, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.
” China is carefully monitoring the present situation between India and Pakistan,” the foreign ministry said in a article published on its website.
” We strongly telephone on both India and Pakistan to give priority to peace and stability, stay calm and restrained, returning to the trail of political negotiation through peaceful methods and avoid taking steps that further intensify tensions,” a statement by a foreign department spokesperson said.
China remains willing to continue playing a productive role in this problem, the government added.
Beijing’s feedback coincided with names by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday for India and Pakistan to recover clear communication to “avoid misunderstanding”.
Rubio spoke on the telephone with the South Asian adversaries ‘ top officials and with Pakistan’s military chief, considered the government’s important powerbroker.
In the individual names with the international officials, Rubio “emphasised that both factors need to identify strategies to de-escalate and re-establish direct connection to prevent miscalculation,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.
In the meetings with both foreign officials and with Pakistani army commander Asim Munir, Rubio even “offered US assistance in starting constructive discussions in order to avoid potential wars”, Bruce said.
US President Donald Trump had also said on Wednesday that “if I can do anything to aid, I will be it” and claimed to “get along very well ” with both India and Pakistan.
China has close ties with Pakistan, including in military with the Chinese source of defense products.
Pakistan is a US alliance although its value has diminished since Washington’s 2021 departure from neighbouring Afghanistan. The US and India have even deepened security relations in recent years.