China won’t give up any inch of territory: Xi tells Mattis

Beijing, June 28 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping told visiting US Defence Secretary James Mattis that Beijing is committed to peace but will not give up “any inch of territory” in the Pacific Ocean, media reports said on Thursday.

“Our stance is steadfast and clear-cut when it comes to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” CNN quoted Xi as saying after his meeting with Mattis on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People here.

“We cannot lose even one inch of the territory left behind by our ancestors… What is other people’s we do not want at all.”

Xi also said that despite disagreements in the Pacific over the South China Sea, “it has long been known that the real experts on military affairs do not want to employ military means to solve issues”.

Mattis however, said his talks with Xi and other officials on Wednesday had been “very, very” good, adding that the US was assigning a “high degree of importance to the military relationship” with China.

His meeting with Xi comes as relations between Washington and Beijing have been marred recently by rising tensions — not only by an impending trade war but also by both militaries viewing each other with increasing suspicion and alarm.

Mattis is the first Pentagon chief to visit China since 2014.

Addressing Mattis’ trip in light of ongoing tensions in the region during a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said it was “natural that China and the US have differences in different times and aspects as two big countries”.

“The key part is solving the issues between the US and China with mutual respect. We have always believed that the bilateral relationship can benefit both countries and both peoples,” he added.

Following his Beijing visit, Mattis will travel to Seoul, where he will meet South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo. He will also meet with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo.

China has welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision to halt large-scale US-South Korean joint military drills after his historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un — but the Pentagon’s other moves in the region have prompted strong reactions from Beijing, CNN reported.

Mattis, a former Marine general, angered the Chinese government recently when he stressed the US military’s intention to continue “a steady drumbeat” of naval exercises to challenge Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Last month, the Pentagon disinvited China from participating in an annual multinational military drill, known as RimPac, blaming it on Beijing’s escalating militarisation in the South China Sea by deploying new missile systems on its man-made islands in the contested waters.

Now, Savarkar’s grandson warns of filing FIR against Rahul Gandhi

Mumbai: Spelling fresh troubles for Rahul Gandhi, the grandson of V.D. Savarkar has now demanded an apology from the disqualified Congress MP besides threatening to file an FIR against him...

Hindu residents create ruckus over special Ramzan prayers in Noida housing society

Tension erupts in Noida after dozens Muslims were obstructed from offering special Ramazan prayers in late evening at a housing society near Noida on Monday, said Uttar Pradesh police on...

Release Amritpal Singh’s supporters in 24 hours or face stir: Akal Takht to Punjab govt

Why similar action is not taken against "those who demand Hindu Rashtra? Punjab Police has said it has released 197 persons out of the 353 taken into preventive custody Will...

EPFO fixes 8.15% interest rate on employees’ provident fund for 2022-23

New Delhi: Retirement body employee provident fund organisation (EPFO) on Tuesday fixed 8.15 per cent interest rate on the employees' provident fund for 2022-23. The decision was taken by EPFO's...

UP: Atiq Ahmed, his brother convicted in 2006 Umesh Pal kidnapping case

Atiq was allegedly involved in the killing of Raju Pal, who was shot dead in 2005. Umesh Pal was gunned down outside his Prayagraj residence on February 24. Large crowds...

Delhi HC overturns trial court order, frames charges against Sharjeel Imam, 8 others

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday partially set aside a trial court's order dated February 4, which had discharged the 11 accused, including Sharjeel Imam, Asif Iqbal Tanha...

Kolkata minor ‘sacrifice’: NCPCR sends notice to Mamata govt

Kolkata: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sent a notice to the West Bengal government seeking a report over the alleged 'human sacrifice' of a seven-year-old...

‘Horrendous’: SC on Bilkis Bano case, issues notice on plea against release of 11 convicts

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a petition filed by 2002 Gujarat riots victim Bilkis Bano against the premature release of 11 persons convicted...

Eviction notice sent to Rahul Gandhi to vacate govt bungalow

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) After being disqualified as a Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi has been asked to vacate his government bungalow in Tughlak lane in Delhi's Lutyen's zone, sources...

Close aide of pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh arrested in Punjab

Chandigarh: As the hunt of 'Waris Punjab De' chief and fugitive pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh is still on, the separatist leader's close aide and gunman, who is an ex-serviceman, was...

Indian Embassy in Kathmandu claims Amritpal Singh hiding in Nepal

Kathmandu: The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has claimed that absconding pro-Khalistan radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh is currently hiding in Nepal and requested the Himalayan nation's government agencies to arrest...

Tunisia retrieves 29 bodies of illegal immigrants off coast

Tunis: Tunisian coast guards have retrieved 29 bodies of illegal immigrants after two boats sank off Tunisian coasts, Tunisian National Guard said. Houcemeddine Jbabli, Tunisian National Guard's spokesman, told Xinhua...

Read Previous

Bad weather halts Amarnath Yatra

Read Next

Putin, Trump agree on summit in 3rd country

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com