China criticizes India's Modi for visit to disputed territory

A visit by the Indian prime minister to a disputed border region has raised China's ire. Beijing criticized the visit as being damaging to bilateral relations.

Deutsche Welle, 21 Feb 2015

 Map showing historical border between China and India

China on Saturday slammed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to a disputed zone claimed by both countries, accusing India of impeding efforts to resolve competing territorial claims.

"The Chinese government has never recognized 'Arunachal Pradesh,'" Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, referring to the Indian name for the region, which China has called "south Tibet."

"We demand the Indian side not take any action that may complicate the border issue before its resolution so as to maintain the sound momentum in the growth of bilateral relations," Hua said.

India declared the region in its northeast a state in February 1987. China called the move "illegal and unilateral."

Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh on Friday to inaugurate a train line and a power station on the anniversary of its being named an Indian state.

In a speech, he pledged billions in investment to develop the region's infrastructure.

tj/sms (dpa, Reuters)