Diplomacy: China will continue to respect Bhutan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, it was pointed out by the Chinese foreign affairs vice minister, Liu Zhenmin, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The vice minister, along with his delegation, met with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang, yesterday.
“Discussed a range of issues, including demarcating our border…”, Lyonchoen said on social media.
The Chinese vice minister is leading an 11-member delegation to Bhutan for the 23rd round of border talks, which was conducted on August 24. The foreign affairs ministry is yet to publicise the proceedings or outcome of the meeting.
Vice minister Liu Zhenmin said that deliberations have made significant progress under the leadership of the current governments of Bhutan and China, it was pointed out in the PMO press release.
Border talks between Bhutan and China have been going on since 1984.
Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay informed the Chinese delegation that he had been personally visiting the disputed areas and that he planned further visits so that he is well informed of the actual situations at the border areas.
Lyonchoen had said that he had been visiting disputed areas in western Bhutan during the state of the nation report in June. There are 269 sq kms of disputed areas in northern Haa and Paro.
In July, last year, the 22nd round of border talks held in China, endorsed the joint technical field survey report on the central northern disputed area of Bayul-Pasamlung comprising 496 sq km.
Lyonchoen and the Chinese foreign affairs vice minister agreed that, “both sides should forward to a successful boundary negotiation and come to an early, comprehensive and mutually acceptable solution.”
Vice minister Liu Zhenmin said that China would continue to respect Bhutan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, it is stated in the press release.
The vice minister also said that he was immensely pleased to observe the Bhutanese people living in peace and harmony.
Lyonchoen informed the Chinese delegation that the people have prospered under the reign of the farsighted monarchs and the people’s devotion and affection for their Kings was inviolable.
Areas of mutual interests such as tourism, culture and sports, were also discussed. Lyonchoen said that relations between the two countries have been facilitated by many people-to-people exchanges, for instance, tourism and education scholarships.
Lyonchoen also pointed out that such exchanges, referring to the Chinese delegation being in Bhutan, would promote the cordial relations between the two countries.
By Gyalsten K Dorji