China 'dissatisfied' with ADB document

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-18 20:54

BEIJING - China is "strongly dissatisfied" with the Asia Development Bank (ADB) in regard to a document that meddles in the China-India border dispute, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Thursday.

Qin Gang made the remarks at a press conference when asked to comment on a document concerning the disputed China-India border areas that the ADB's board approved Tuesday.

"The ADB, regardless of China's grave concerns, adopted the Country Partnership Strategy for India (2009-2012), which involves disputed areas between China and India. China is strongly dissatisfied with it."

Qin said the document "can not change the existence of the China-Indian territorial disputes, nor China's position on this issue."

Qin urged the ADB, as a regional development agency, not to intervene in the political affairs of its members.

He said adopting such a document seriously damaged the reputation of the ADB and undermined the interests of its members.

"The Chinese government strongly demands that the ADB take effective measures to eliminate the impact," he said.

Qin said China, as an important member of the ADB, had always supported the organization in playing a positive role in helping developing countries.

China was willing to join other countries to promote socio-economic development in the region, he said.

On the border issue, Qin said China had been consistent in its position that China and India should seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution through negotiations.