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India Today
24-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
China calls border talks with India candid, next round set for later this year
China has described its recent diplomatic talks with India concerning the border situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh as "candid." The discussions took place under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) framework between the two countries on Wednesday in New Delhi."The two sides focused on in-depth communication regarding the implementation of the outcomes of 23rd meeting of Special Representatives (SRs) for China-India Boundary Question and agreed to jointly prepare for the 24th meeting," the Chinese Foreign ministry said that the talks involved in-depth communication regarding the implementation of the outcomes from the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives (SRs) on the China-India Boundary Question. They also agreed to prepare for the 24th meeting. India's Ministry of External Affairs reported that both sides expressed "satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquillity in the border areas, leading to gradual normalisation of bilateral relations." The WMCC talks served as a platform to maintain these peaceful meeting also laid the groundwork for the next round of talks, scheduled to take place later this year in India. These discussions are part of ongoing efforts to ensure regular exchanges in connection with border-related issues at diplomatic and military the WMCC meeting, both countries agreed to "maintain regular exchanges and contacts on issues related to the boundary affairs," as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs. This agreement aims to ensure stability along the Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary East Asia division, while the Chinese delegation was headed by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs recent disengagement of troops from certain friction points, both nations still have a significant military presence along the eastern Ladakh region. The WMCC talks are part of a broader initiative to manage and reduce discussions follow a history of strained relations due to the military standoff that began in May 2020 in India's Eastern Ladakh region.- EndsInputs from PTIMust Watch
United News of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
India, China express satisfaction at prevalence of peace and tranquility in border areas
New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) India and China held the 34th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on Border Affairs today in New Delhi during which they expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the border areas, leading to gradual normalization of bilateral relations. The Indian delegation to the WMCC was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), and the Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas. They expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the border areas, leading to gradual normalization of bilateral relations, a statement said. They agreed to maintain regular exchanges and contacts on issues related to the boundary affairs at the diplomatic and military levels through established mechanisms. With a view to advancing effective border management and sustaining peace & tranquillity, the two sides deliberated on various measures as explored during the previous (23rd) round of SR Talks and the 33rd meeting of WMCC. The two sides also prepared for the next round of the Special Representatives' Talks on the India-China Boundary Question to be held in India later this year, a statement said. The leader of the Chinese delegation called on the Foreign Secretary. UNI RN
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First Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
India, China delegations meet to discuss border issues, normalisation of bilateral ties
The two sides discussed measures aimed at 'advancing effective border management and sustaining peace and tranquillity,' building on understandings reached during the 23rd round of the Special Representatives' (SR) Talks held in 2024 read more A man walks inside a conference room used for meetings between military commanders of China and India, at the Indian side of the Indo-China border at Bumla, in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, November 11, 2009. Reuters File India and China held the 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC) in New Delhi on Wednesday (July 23), in a fresh bid to sustain momentum on de-escalation efforts along the Line of Actual Control. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) Gourangalal Das, while the Chinese side was headed by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to a statement released by India's Ministry of External Affairs, both sides reviewed the situation in the border areas and expressed satisfaction with the 'general prevalence of peace and tranquillity,' noting progress toward 'gradual normalisation' of bilateral ties. Push for phased disengagement and SR-level talks The two sides discussed measures aimed at 'advancing effective border management and sustaining peace and tranquillity,' building on understandings reached during the 23rd round of the Special Representatives' (SR) Talks held in Beijing in March 2024. That round saw National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agree to a phased withdrawal at remaining friction points like Depsang and Demchok. The WMCC talks also prepared the ground for the 24th round of the SR Talks on the India-China boundary question, which is expected to be held in India later this year. The SR mechanism functions as a higher-level political dialogue to resolve the boundary dispute. Meeting follows two high-level ministerial visits The timing of the meeting adds to its significance, coming after two important bilateral exchanges this year. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar travelled to Beijing in January 2025, followed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's engagement with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting in April. India and China have maintained multiple layers of engagement to navigate ongoing tensions in eastern Ladakh. While large-scale disengagement has been achieved at some points, talks remain deadlocked at several locations. With inputs from agencies
Korea Herald
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Seoul, Beijing at odds over West Sea structures, but vow to keep talking
South Korea and China reaffirmed their differing positions on the contentious issue of Chinese-built structures in their jointly administered West Sea zone during interagency maritime talks, with Seoul expressing 'deep concerns' and Beijing dismissing the stance, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul said Thursday. Despite the friction, the two sides launched a working-level consultative body to address the issue, agreeing not to let the issue hinder the current momentum in advancing bilateral ties after years of strained relations. The announcement came a day after the two held a dialogue on maritime cooperation in Seoul, where they 'engaged in broad discussions on a wide range of maritime issues,' according to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. The meeting was led by Kang Young-shin, director-general for Northeast and Central Asian affairs at the South Korean Foreign Ministry, and Hong Liang, director-general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The meeting came at a critical juncture, as China's intention to install such structures within the Provisional Measures Zone — a jointly managed area agreed upon by the two countries — raised concerns in Seoul. 'Director-General Kang conveyed the Korean government's deep concerns over the Chinese-built structures in the West Sea and emphasized the stance that Korea's legitimate and lawful maritime rights and interests must not be infringed upon," the Foreign Ministry in Seoul said in a press statement. 'The Chinese side explained that the structures were purely for aquaculture purposes and unrelated to issues of sovereignty or maritime boundary delimitation," Seoul said. The Foreign Ministry in Seoul further explained, "Both sides shared the understanding that this issue should not become an obstruction to the current trajectory of developing bilateral relations and agreed to continue communication through various channels at all levels." Seoul and Beijing also agreed to launch two working-level subcommittees to handle pending maritime issues for the first time during the third maritime cooperation dialogue. 'The first subcommittee on maritime order addresses bilateral issues such as Chinese-built structures in the West Sea and illegal fishing,' the Foreign Ministry in Seoul said. 'The second subcommittee, on Practical Cooperation, handles areas of collaboration including joint fish release and maritime search and rescue operations.' The Seoul ministry underscored that 'both sides committed to closely consult to stably manage maritime order in the West Sea and to expand and deepen practical cooperation through diplomatic channels at all levels.' Seoul and Beijing also agreed to hold a fourth meeting in China at a mutually convenient time. Wednesday's meeting marks the first in-person session, given that the previous two were held virtually, in April 2021 and June 2022, in the form of video conferences, with related ministries in attendance. The interagency meeting included, from the South Korean side, the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Korea Coast Guard. From the Chinese side, participants included the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the National Resources Ministry, the Transport Ministry, and the China Coast Guard. The Korea-China Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation was established as a director-general-level consultative body designed to hold comprehensive discussions on maritime issues between the two countries, following a foreign ministerial agreement reached in December 2019. Seoul's concerns over the construction have grown in light of China's past behavior in the South China Sea, including the building of artificial islands and military bases in disputed waters — often within other countries' EEZ — causing tensions with neighboring countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam. China unilaterally constructed the Shenlan-1 facility in 2018, claiming it was deep-sea fishery farming equipment. In 2022, it constructed a steel structure under the guise of a deep-sea aquaculture management support facility. It was followed by another facility, the Shenlan-2 facility, in 2024. The South Korean government has detected signs of China constructing an additional structure this year. The PMZ was established under the Korea-China Fisheries Agreement of 2000, since the two countries have overlapping exclusive economic zones, without delineating a clear maritime boundary. Given that the Korea-China Fisheries Agreement does not have a provision against the installation of structures, it is difficult for Seoul to approach the issue under international law. The South Korean government, however, has been mulling over potential and feasible countermeasures at the pan-government level. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said Wednesday during a National Assembly session, "The government's position is to review effective measures, including proportional countermeasures, in light of feasibility and financial affordability."
