Sikkim stand-off: China hints of issuing travel alert for India

Beijing: Amid Indian Army and Chinese troops Sikkim standoff, China on Wednesday said it could issue a travel alert for its citizens visiting India depending on the security situation.

"The Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety and lawful rights of Chinese citizens," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

"In accordance with the security condition of the relevant country, we will decide whether or not to issue a travel alert," Geng said, answering a question if China will issue any advisory.

Tensions between India and China have escalated over the current stand-off in Doklam in Sikkim sector.

Also read: Sikkim stand-off: China says India ‘trampled’ on Panchsheel

China on Wednesday said India “trampled” on the Panchsheel pact by entering Chinese territory, asking New Delhi to pull back troops to avoid a “worsening of the situation” on their border.

Beijing also said India was “misleading” its citizens by saying that Doklam is located at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan, and China.

“And as we all know, China, India, and Myanmar in the 1950s jointly proposed five principles of peaceful coexistence,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

“However, to the surprise of everyone, the Indian side has trampled on the basic norms of international relations that were proposed by itself by illegally crossing into others’ territory,” he added.