China ‘concerned’ over PM’s Arunachal visit

China had earlier created a controversy by raising an objection to Singh’s Arunachal visit during an informal interaction between junior diplomats in Beijing.

However, it is yet to lodge a formal protest or send any written communication about the matter through diplomatic channels to New Delhi.

However, Beijing has sought to downplay the complaint by saying that steps towards peace and stability in the region would continue. “We hope that China and India will continue with consultations and negotiations which is good for peace and stability of the region. I believe both China and India are aware of this,” Jianchao was quoted as saying.

The informal complaint raised last week had evoked a strong reaction from New Delhi that reaffirmed its stand that Arunachal was an integral part of the nation that the PM could visit at will. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had pointed out that India had a “regular representation in Parliament” elected by the people of Arunachal.

While China has not elaborated on the reason behind its displeasure, it is learnt that Singh’s statement calling Arunachal “our land of the rising sun” was not received too well by Beijing.

China had earlier lodged a formal protest against troop movements by the Army in Sikkim after Manmohan Singh’s visit to the country in January. Within days of Singh’s visit, Beijing surprised New Delhi by sending a diplomatic protest to New Delhi claiming that Indian troops were building structures along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The reopening of claims in Sikkim was especially surprising as they came after increasing Chinese activity along the LAC and the destruction of unmanned Indian bunkers near Doka La on the India-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction last year.