Not 1st time Indian media report ‘confrontations’ that do not exist: expert

China on Monday said there was no stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the border area, in response to reports by the Indian media which said Indian troops demolished a Chinese constructed watch tower in the sensitive region.

"As far as I know, there is no such 'face-off' between China and India in the border area," Hong Lei, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Monday at a regular press briefing.

China has been committed to maintaining the peace and tranquility of the border area and hopes India could clarify the related matter and work with China, he said.

Indian media on Sunday reported that a face-off between the two sides took place in the Burtse area of Ladakh after Indian troops demolished a watch tower constructed by China "on Indian soil" early Sunday.

The Indian Express reported that the construction was done by the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and that the local commanders of both armies are expected to meet on Monday.

"This is not the first time that Indian media has reported 'confrontations' that do not exist in the Sino-Indian border area. These news are often untrue, negative, misleading and aimed at provoking public opinion, and are harmful to the relationship between China and India," said Jiang Jingkui, director of the Department of South Asian Languages at Peking University.

Indian media frequently report disputes at the border with China. They often accuse Chinese troops of "intruding" and describe the troops of both sides as having a "face-off."

"There is a certain group of people, including the military, who are hostile towards China. Unlike the Indian government and local citizens who are supportive of Sino-Indian relations and peaceful development, they believe that a war with China is inevitable as they want to avenge the Sino-Indian confrontation that took place in 1962," Jiang said.

He said such media accusations are unreasonable as Chinese troops have never intruded Indian border.

Sino-Indian relations are enjoying a sound momentum of development, Hong said. The significant consensus reached between leaders of both sides on maintaining peace and tranquility of the border area serves as an important guarantee for the sustainable development of bilateral relations, he added.

China hopes that India will bear the big picture of bilateral ties in mind, and safeguard peace of the border area so as to create a favorable environment for the development of bilateral relations, Hong noted.

Jiang said despite the Indian media reports, the Sino-Indian tie is indeed stable, because the leaders of both countries focus more on cooperation than confrontations.

"This is just a minor incident. With China's Belt and Road Initiative which requires cooperation, Sino-Indian relationship will continue to develop peacefully as India will also benefit from the scheme," he said.