Chinese envoy bats for stronger bilateral ties amid Asian Games visa row

Chinese envoy Zha Liyou on Monday called for strengthening bilateral relations “on a healthy and stable track” between New Delhi and Beijing. Liyou’s comments come amidst a controversy over China’s decision to deny visas to three Indian wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh for the Asian Games.
Currently, relations between the two countries are “generally stable, and the leaders of the two countries maintain dialogue and communication”, said Liyou, the Chinese consul general in Kolkata. “China is willing to work with India to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen dialogue and communication, overcome interference difficulties, and promote the development of bilateral relations on a healthy and stable track,” Liyou said on Sunday while addressing a programme to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The Chinese consul general said the neighbouring country is willing to work with “all parties”, including India, to serve as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order with a broader vision. “A stable and healthy China-India relationship is in the fundamental interests of both countries and their people. The common development and revitalisation of the two countries is related to the future of Asia and the world,” the Chinese envoy added. When asked about the denial of visas to three Arunachal Pradesh athletes, Liyou said, “The Asian Games is the game for all of us. We are family… this is a bilateral issue and I would invite you to reach out to the Chinese Embassy…”