China hails Pakistan’s move to release Indian pilot

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - China on Friday hailed as a “goodwill signal” the Pakistani premier’s announcement to release captured Indian pilot, according to Indian media reports.

Wing Commander Abhinandan was held in Pakistan after his aircraft was downed on Wednesday in a dogfight between Indian and Pakistani jets along the disputed border with Kashmir.

On Thursday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced his release in a widely-hailed gesture of goodwill.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lu Kang told a press conference in Beijing that his country had been calling on both India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint, ease tensions and engage in dialogue”, according to The Indian Express.

“China welcomes the goodwill signal by Pakistan side. De-escalation serves common interest of both sides,” the daily quoted the Chinese official as saying.

Moreover, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said China has never recognized India and Pakistan as nuclear powers and ruled out extending such as status to North Korea, according to the Press Trust of India, an Indian news agency.

“China has never recognized India and Pakistan as nuclear countries. Our position on this has never changed,” the agency quoted Lu as saying.