China expresses deep regret over Indian FM's remarks on border issue

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-11 17:25

BEIJING - China says here Tuesday that it deeply regretted Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee's remarks calling the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" part of India's territory.

"We deeply regret the Indian side's remarks, that take no regard of the historical facts. China and India have never officially settled demarcation of borders, and China's stance on the eastern section of China-India borders is consistent and clear-cut," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Qin said the current Chinese government, as well as previous ones, has never recognized the illegal "McMahon Line", and the Indian side is very clear about that.

Qin was commenting on remarks made by Mukherjee in the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh", in which he said that the area is an inalienable part of India's territory and India will suggest to China that the border be opened for trade.

As for the boundary issue between China and India, the spokesman added China is willing to find a solution, which is fair, reasonable and acceptable to the two sides, through peaceful and friendly negotiation in the spirit of mutual understanding and adjustment.