China claims Indian troops crossed border first triggering conflict

BEIJING: China has given its version of the border clash with India in the Galwan Valley and said none of the responsibility lies with them but rather the Indian side violated and crossed the disputed border.

Addressing a press briefing in Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that the incident in the Galwan Valley of the China-India border has received much attention. However, he said the merits of what happened are very clear and none of the responsibility lies with China.

The spokesperson said that Indian border troops crossed the line first as the boundary in the western sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is clear and the Galwan Valley lies on the Chinese side.

“The Chinese border troops, who have all along been patrolling the area, know very well the situation of management and control on the ground. Since April this year, the Indian side has been building roads and bridges at and across the LAC in the Galwan Valley, unilaterally changing the status quo. China has lodged representations on multiple occasions,” said the spokesperson.

He recalled that on May 6, Indian border troops crossed the LAC under the cover of night, trespassed into China’s territory and deliberately made provocations. He said Chinese border troops were compelled to take necessary measures to respond to the situation on the ground and gain control along the border.

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The spokesperson said the Indian side violated bilateral consensus and started provocations first. He said India originally agreed to withdraw its personnel who crossed the LAC and dismantle the facilities as China demanded.

During the first round of commander-level talks on June 6, the Indian side promised not to cross the Galwan River to patrol and build facilities. The two sides also agreed to build observation posts on either side of the river. However, the spokesperson said the Indian side later reneged and once again crossed the line for provocations which triggered the conflict.

The spokesperson said India violated international rules and attacked the Chinese side first. On June 15, Indian troops breached the agreement, crossed the LAC and demolished the tents built by the Chinese side.

READ MORE: China claims entire Galwan Valley under its control

“When the Chinese army officers and soldiers came to negotiate as per customary practices on handling border-related issues, the Indian troops attacked them in an abrupt and violent manner, which led to fierce physical confrontations and casualties.”

“The adventurous acts of the Indian army seriously violated the agreements reached between the two countries on the border issue, and breached the basic norms governing international relations. The acts of the Indian army are of a vile nature and have severe consequences.

The spokesperson said the Chinese and Indian foreign ministers had a phone call on June 17 and both sides agreed to handle the situation caused by the Galwan Valley clash, observe the agreement reached during the commander-level talks and uphold peace and tranquility of the border areas in accordance with bilateral agreements

He said two sides held the second round of commander-level talks from June 22nd-23^rd and agreed to jointly take necessary measures for de-escalation, hoping that India will strictly observe and implement the measures.