China pledges to settle boundary question with India
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential palace in New Delhi on Sept 18, 2014. (AFP PHOTO / RAVEENDRAN)
China on Monday said it will work with India to speed up negotiations on the boundary question prior to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's upcoming state visit.
Mukherjee begins his visit on Tuesday at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
In an interview with Chinese media, Mukherjee expressed willingness to find a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution to the question.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Monday that both China and India are committed to solving the disputes via negotiation.
Both countries have joined negotiations, managed their disputes and preserved peace in the area under dispute for three decades, said Hua at a daily press briefing.
The two countries have a number of boundary-related mechanisms including special representatives on the question.
The 19th Special Representatives' Meeting on China-India Boundary Question was held in Beijing on April 20. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, special representative on the Chinese side and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval of India, special representative on the Indian side exchanged their views.
"China is willing to continue working with India to accelerate the negotiation and solve the issue at an early date," said Hua.