Why China is opposing India's plan to host G-20 Summit in Jammu and Kashmir

China on Thursday voiced its opposition to India's reported plans to hold the next year's G-20 Summit in Jammu and Kashmir.

China's opposition comes days after their close ally Pakistan's objection. China said that relevant sides should avoid 'unilateral moves' that may 'complicate' the situation, reported PTI.

'China's position on the Kashmir issue is consistent and clear-cut. The Kashmir issue, a dispute left from the past, should be peacefully and properly addressed in accordance with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreement,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.

On June 25, Pakistan said it rejected India's attempt to hold a meeting of G20 countries in Kashmir.

Pakistan also reached out to its allies China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia and asked them to boycott the summit.

WHAT IS G-20?

• The G-20 is a strategic multilateral platform connecting the world's major developed and emerging economies.Together, the G20 members represent more than 80 per cent of world GDP, 75 per cent of international trade and 60 per cent of the world population.
• The G20 was formally established in September 1999. The politico-economic alliance started as a meeting for the finance minister and central bank governors, but now the summit is also attended by heads of governments.

• The Group of Twenty comprises 19 countries and the European Union (EU). The countries are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the European Union. The EU is represented by the President of the European Council and by the head of the European Central Bank.
• The G-20 summit happens every year and  the 2022 summit is scheduled to take place in Bali, Indonesia.

WHY IS INDIA HOSTING THE SUMMIT IN J&K?

• Jammu and Kashmir will be hosting the 2023 G-20 Summit. The J&K administration has set up a five-member committee for overall coordination for the organisation of the summit.
• This will be the first major international summit expected to be held in Jammu and Kashmir after its special status guaranteed under Article 370 of the Constitution was withdrawn and the erstwhile state was divided into two union territories in August 2019.
• By hosting a major event like the G-20 Summit in J&K, India will be giving a clear message to the world on how integral a part Kashmir is for the country. It will also give a message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the government of India wants to develop the region.

WHY ARE CHINA AND PAKISTAN OPPOSING THE MOVE?

• By deciding to host the summit in J&K India has also sent a message to Pakistan and China also that it doesn't see the region as disputed and has complete authority over it.
• This has miffed Pakistan. Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that Pakistan completely rejects any such attempt by India. He said it was a well-known fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory between Pakistan and India, and has remained on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council for over seven decades, reported PTI.
• China is a major ally of Pakistan and has border disputes with India. So, it had to oppose the move. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the parties concerned need to avoid unilateral moves that may complicate the situation. 'Efforts should be made to settle the dispute through dialogue and consultation so as to maintain regional peace and stability,' he said.
• He said that the G-20 is a premier forum for international economic and financial cooperation and that China calls on all major economies to focus on steady recovery of the world economy and avoid politicising relevant cooperation, reported PTI.