China justifies its stand on Azhar, denies double standards
BEIJING: China on Thursday dismissed as “untrue” allegations of double standards by India by blocking its bid to list JEM leader Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, claiming that it had adopted a “just, objective and professional” attitude in deciding the matter.
“With regard to the listing matter of the security council 1267 committee the so called double standards adopted by China on this relevant issue is not true. We take action based on solid evidence that is the standard upheld by us,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told media briefing here.
Responding to remarks made by Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar on Azhar’s issue during the press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday Geng said, “We have taken a responsible and constructive part in relevant discussion in a professional and objective way”.
“Relevant members differed on this issue. The purpose of China to put forward technical hold on that issue is to create enough time for the committee and relevant parties to consult with each other on the relevant issue,” he said.
Akbar on Wednesday had said, “We really do expect China to hear the voice of the world, not just voice of India on terrorism.”
Referring to Pakistan’s support to terror, India also hoped that as a “responsible and a mature” nation, China will understand the “double standards” and “simply self-defeating and suicidal” approach of Islamabad to terrorism. China was the only country among the 15-member 1267 counter terrorism committee of the UN Security Council which has objected to India’s application to list Azhar who is accused of masterminding the Pathankot terror attack.
China had put two technical holds on India’s move – first for six months followed by a second one for a period of three months ending Dec 31 – after which India has to file a fresh application to get the Pakistanbased Azhar listed as a terrorist by the UN.