The issue of listing Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a “global terrorist will be properly resolved”, China said on Tuesday amid indications that it could soon lift its “technical hold” on the proposal pending in the UN Security Council.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said”relevant consultations” are underway in the UN Sanctions Committeeon the issue and “some progress” has been achieved.
“I can only say that I believe that this will beproperly resolved,” Geng said at a media briefing in Beijing when askedwhether the issue would be settled as early as Wednesday when the matter isexpected to be taken up by the UNSC’s 1267 Sanctions Committee.
“Regarding the listing issue in the 1267 (Sanctions)Committee (of the UNSC), we have expressed our position many times and I justwant to stress two points. First, we support the listing issue being settledwithin the 1267 Committee through dialogue and consultation and I believe thisis the consensus of most members,” he said while answering questions overthe issue.
“Second, the relevant consultations are going on withinthe Committee and have achieved some progress. Third, I believe, with the jointefforts of all parties, this issue can be properly resolved,” thespokesperson added.
His response came amidst indications that China could liftits “technical hold” on listing of Azhar, whose outfit has beenresponsible for a number of terror attacks in India, including the recent onein Pulwama in which 40 security personnel were killed by a suicide car bomberon February 14.
China has been blocking Azhar’s listing despite a strong push by other permanent members of the UNSC like the US, UK and France.