China Thursday appeared non-committal about its stand on afresh proposal moved by the US, the UK and France in the UN Security Council todesignate Pakistan-based group JeM’s chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.
China, a close ally of Pakistan, has consistently blockedmoves first by India and later by the US, the UK and France to designate Azharas a global terrorist by the 1267 Committee by putting technical holds.
Asked whether China will block the move to designateJaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as a global terrorist – a listing that willsubject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo – ChineseForeign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang almost reiterated Beijing’s oft-repeatedstand at a media briefing here.
“As we have said on many occasions, the 1267 committee ofthe UN Security Council has clear norms on the listing of terroristorganisations or individuals and relevant procedures,” he said.
China will continue to take a responsible attitude andparticipate in the discussions of the Security Council’s relevant sanctionscommittees and other subsidiary bodies, he said.
Beijing’s constant blocking of the move has become a majorissue of discord between India and China.
China has taken a more guarded approach since the Pulwamaattack claimed by JeM which killed 40 CRPF soldiers.
Beijing backed the recent strong statement issued by the UNSecurity Council condemning JeM for the attack. It is to be seen what standChina would take this time about the listing of Azhar as a global terrorist.
China is also trying to defuse tensions betweeen India andPakistan with Foreign Minister Wang Yi interacting closely with ExternalAffairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah MahmoodQureshi in recent days.
Qureshi made an “urgent” phone call to Wang on Thursday toupdate him about the tensions between Pakistan and India, Chinese ForeignMinistry said on Thursday.