China 'concerned' over Kashmir clashes, calls for peaceful settlement

Beijing: Commenting on the unrest in Kashmir, China today said it hoped that the situation will be "handled properly" and "relevant parties" will address the issue peacefully through dialogue.

"China has taken note of relevant reports. We are equally concerned about the casualties in the clash, and hope that relevant incident will be handled properly," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in his remarks posted on the Foreign Ministry website.

"The Kashmir issue is left over from history. China holds a consistent stance and hopes relevant parties will address the issue peacefully through dialogue," he said in response to a question on the recent Kashmir unrest.

Lu's comments come as a surprise to observers in Beijing as it is rare for China to comment on the developments relating to Jammu and Kashmir.

The standard line followed by China in recent years on issues relating to Kashmir was that it is an issue between India and Pakistan and should be properly handled by the two sides through dialogue and consultation.

The rare comments on the situation in Kashmir came in the wake of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Kashmir has seen violent protests since Wani's killing; 42 people have died and over 2000 have been injured.