Srinagar: China on Friday said that it will not attend the next week’s G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that it is “firmly” opposed to holding any such meetings in the “disputed territory.”
“China firmly opposes holding any form of G20 meetings on disputed territory. We will not attend such meetings,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a regular press conference.
India has responded the China’s statement, saying New Delhi is free to hold meetings in its own territory. It added that peace and tranquility on its border is essential for normal ties with the neighbouring nation.
Pertinently, the upcoming third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting will be held in Srinagar from 22 May to 24 May under India’s presidency.