China rebuffs US suggestion to convince Pakistan on terror

Beijing Jan 8 (IANS) China on Monday told the US that pointing fingers at Pakistan will not help in fighting terrorism.

Rebuffing a US suggestion that China should convince Pakistan to crack down on terror Beijing said it would not be "conducive" to link terrorism with its "all-weather" Islamabad.

"As we stressed many times Pakistan has made important sacrifices and contributions to the global anti-terrorism cause and countries should strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation on the basis of common mutual respect instead of finger-pointing at each other " Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said.

"This is not conducive to the global counter-terrorism efforts " Lu told the media.

Last week a US official said China could be helpful in persuading Pakistan to dismantle safe haven for terrorists.

"China always opposes linking terrorism with any certain country and we don t agree to place the responsibility of anti-terrorism on a certain country " Lu said.

"Actually China is defending the countries that have been making anti-terrorism efforts in a just and fair way. China also welcomes all the global joint efforts in terms of counter-terrorism on the basis of mutual trust and respect."

China defends its "iron-brother" Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. Beijing says Islamabad has made sacrifices and done a fabulous job in fighting terrorism.

China was quick to jump to Pakistan s defence when US President tweeted that his administration was stopping all aid to Islamabad for not using the money to flush out terrorists.

Days after Trump s announcement Washington cut security aid to Islamabad. China has invested heavily in Pakistan.

The over $ 50-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor - a key artery of Beijing s Belt and Road project -- connects China s Kashgar with Pakistan Gwadar.

It goes through the disputed Kashmir held by Islamabad and claimed by New Delhi.

--IANS
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