Don't make China an issue, your cooperation should not harm another's interests: Beijing

No one should make China an issue in their bilateral relations and their cooperation should not harm the interests of another country, the Chinese foreign ministry said while reacting to queries on the meeting between PM Modi and US President Trump. Modi's meeting with Trump in Washington has evoked considerable interest in China, especially on defence cooperation between New Delhi and Washington.

In a joint statement, the two leaders reaffirmed that a close partnership between the US and India is central to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and spoke of strengthening Quad partnership among other issues. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said "the Asia-Pacific is a stellar example of peace and development, not an arena for geopolitical games."

Jiakun said bilateral cooperation should not target third countries. "No one should make China an issue in the relations and cooperation between countries or seek to instigate bloc politics and confrontation," the spokesperson said on Trump's offer to provide F-35 fighter jets to India.