Urging India to back the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chinese media on Monday said that the multi-billion dollar project will not affect the status quo of Kashmir dispute.
Likening Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with Taiwan, an article in Global Times pointed out that China has not objected to any economic links between Taiwan and other countries including India.
The article added that China has already stated that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved between India and Pakistan.
"Just like the Taiwan question, Beijing doesn't object any economic links between Taiwan and other countries including India because economic activities won't alter China's sovereignty over the island," the article said.
"Hence, India should be flexible and pragmatic, and be more open to economic activities in the Kashmir region conducted by Chinese companies," it said.
The article pointed out that the CPEC can be extended to Jammu and Kashmir, if India allows, and benefit the Indian people as well as regional stability.
"The CPEC, however, will boost the economic development in the region, bringing jobs and improving the quality of life," it said.
India has protested over the CPEC project as it passes through PoK. China defends the project, saying it is a development-oriented project aimed at improving lives of the local people and it makes no difference to Beijing's stand on the Kashmir issue.
(With PTI inputs)
