NEW DELHI, Nov 25: China on Wednesday criticized India for banning 43 more Chinese mobile apps on security grounds and claimed that the move violated the rules of the World trade Organization (WTO).
India had imposed a fresh ban on Chinese-origin apps, the fourth time it has done so since the border standoff in Ladakh since May, taking the total number of Chinese-origin apps banned by India to 267.
“We firmly oppose the Indian side’s repeated use of ‘national security’ as an excuse to prohibit some mobile apps with Chinese background,” said Chinese embassy spokesperson Ji Rong. Ji called on India to withdraw the ban on the ground that it went against the WTO’s rules.
“We hope the Indian side provides a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory business environment for all market players from various countries, including China, and rectify the discriminatory practices violating WTO rules,” she said.
The Chinese government, Ji said, had always insisted that overseas Chinese companies “abide by international rules, operate in compliance with laws and regulations and conform to public order and good morals”.
China and India represent “opportunities of development to each other rather than threats”, Ji said, reiterating a line taken by Beijing since the border standoff began.
“Both sides should bring bilateral economic and trade relations back to the right path for mutual benefit and win-win results on the basis of dialogue and negotiation,” she added.
The border standoff involving tens of thousands of troops from both sides is currently in its seventh month, and several rounds of diplomatic and military talks have failed to lead to a breakthrough in disengagement and de-escalation at key friction points such as Pangong Lake, Hot Spring and Depsang.
Troops from both sides have now dug in for the harsh winter, and India has been rushing equipment such as winter clothing and shelters to soldiers in forward areas.
(Manas Dasgupta)