China Calls Bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir Into 2 UTs 'Unlawful' and 'Void'

Beijing/New Delhi, October 31: With the official bifurcation of the Jammu and Kashmir in two new Union territories coming into effect on Thursday, China had voiced its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition. China had called this move "unlawful" and "void". China even urged India to earnestly respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and abide by treaties for the proper settlement of the boundary question.

Expressing its dissatisfaction, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, as The Indian Express quotes, "The Indian government officially announced the establishment of so-called Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory and Ladakh Union Territory that included some of China’s territory into its administrative jurisdiction. China deplores and firmly opposes that. India unilaterally changes its domestic laws and administrative divisions challenging China’s sovereignty." Jammu and Kashmir Bifurcated Into Two Union Territories; Here Are Key Changes to Take Place in J&K And Ladakh UTs From Today.

Adding more, Shuang said that India should recognise that fact that the area is under actual Chinese control. He said, as the daily quotes, "This is unlawful and void, and this is not effective in any way and will not change that fact that the area is under Chinese actual control." The Chinese spokesperson even urged India to earnestly respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and abide by treaties for the proper settlement of the boundary question.

Here's a Tweet by China's leading newspaper:

Making its position clear on Kashmir issue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "It is a dispute left from history, and it should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN charter, the relevant UNSC resolutions and other bilateral treaties and relevant side should resolve dispute through dialogue and consultations and uphold regional peace and stability."

It is to be known that Jammu and Kashmir were officially bifurcated into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh -- on Thursday, nearly three months after the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370. With this new change, India now has 28 states and 9 Union Territories. Girish Chandra Murmu and RK Mathur were appointed as lieutenant governor of the newly formed union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 31, 2019 04:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).