Significant round

The 13th round of Sino-Indian border talks held from Friday through Saturday yielded no substantial result, but its significance should not be downplayed.

The meeting drew unusual attention as it came at a time of so-called border tensions, marked by reported acts of muscle-flexing by India such as additional troops and strike aircraft deployment.

Media reports on possible compromise China was about to make over disputed territory before the talks - which created an uproar on the Internet and was immediately rejected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - testify to the sensitivity of this long-lasting issue.