India’s attack on Pakistan “regrettable”: China  

BEIJING: China on Wednesday called on India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint in the “larger interest of peace and stability” in the region.

The statement by China’s Foreign Ministry came as Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes inside Pakistan’s civilian areas.

“We are concerned about the ongoing situation. India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbours. They are both China’s neighbours as well,” the statement said.

“China opposes all forms of terrorism,” it added.

 “We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation,” it said.

“China finds India’s military operation early this morning regrettable,” the statement added.

India attacked Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir while Pakistan said it had shot down five Indian fighter jets in the worst fighting in more than two decades between the nuclear-armed enemies.

Indian strike on Pakistan dubbed worst between neighbours in over two decades

Victor Gao, a prominent Chinese strategist and former diplomat, spoke out on Chinese media and warned against any military aggression towards Pakistan.

“China & Pakistan are all-weather ironclad allies. No one should second guess this alliance. China will always come to Pakistan’s help and assistance whenever Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be threatened by any country and is fully committed ,to defend Pakistan sovereignty,” he said