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Ahead of UN meeting, China’s cryptic stand on terror tag for Masood Azhar
China has thrice blocked the move by India and other UN members, interpreted by observers as a result of Beijing-Islamabad’s close ties: Beijing has cited both lack of evidence and consensus on why it did so.
Hours before the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar comes up in the UN Security Council, China said it will adopt a “responsible attitude” towards the move and pitch for a solution acceptable to all sides.
The Chinese foreign ministry added that the move to list Azhar must follow all the rules and procedures laid down by the UN.
The UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee close the mandatory 10-day period on Wednesday for objections to a proposal moved by France, the US and the UK to designate Azhar a global terrorist.
Watch: Opinion I Pak dictating China’s decision on UN sanctions on Masood Azhar?
If designated a terrorist by the UN body, Azhar will be subjected to global sanctions that require UN member countries to not host, arm or finance him.
The fresh move to list Azhar comes in the backdrop of the JeM claiming responsibility for the suicide attack in Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14.
“China will adopt a responsible attitude and continue to participate in discussions,” ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang said when asked about what position China would take on the issue of Azhar’s listing.
“On this issue, I want to say that China always adopts a responsible attitude, engage in consultation with various parties properly deal with this issue. The discussions, I want to say must follow the rules and procedures and relevant bodies and only the solution that is acceptable to all sides is conducive for resolving the issue,” Lu said.
China has thrice blocked the move by India and other UN members, interpreted by observers as a result of Beijing-Islamabad’s close ties: Beijing has cited both lack of evidence and consensus on why it did so.
The US on Tuesday cautioned Beijing that a failure to designate Azhar as a terrorist would “run counter” to the shared goal of the US and China of achieving peace and stability in the region.
“The United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal,” Robert Palladino, the state department deputy spokesperson, told reporters in response to a question in Washington..
