Mamata cancels China visit, Chinese Consulate says it will continue friendly exchanges
Beijing/Kolkata, June 22 (IBNS): Even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cancelled her trip to China, the Chinese side said it will continue its efforts in enhancing friendly exchanges and cooperation between the provinces in economic, trade, cultural, educational and other fields.
A statement released by the Chinese Consulate Kolkata said that, "We have taken note of the fact that Madam Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, announced the cancellation of her trip to China on the afternoon of 22 June 2018."
While Mamata Banerjee claimed that her meetings with the communist party's leadership "at an appropriate level" was not confirmed by Chinese authorities, the consulate stated that: "The Chinese side attaches great importance to its relationship with India and to the exchanges between the Chinese provinces and the Indian states. It was working hard to prepare for the Chief Minister’s trip to China, including on the relevant arrangements during the visit. At the time the announcement was made, the Chinese side was still working on the arrangements and remained in contact with the Indian Embassy in China."
"The Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata has all along been committed to promoting ties between the Chinese provinces and West Bengal, and will continue its efforts in enhancing friendly exchanges and cooperation between the provinces and this state in economic, trade, cultural, educational and other fields," it added.
Earlier in a series of tweets, Banerjee said she cancelled her scheduled to visit to the neighbouring nation as Beijing didn't confirm her meetings with the communist party's leadership "at an appropriate level".
The CM was scheduled to fly out of the country later tonight.
In March this year, the Union Minister of External Affairs had recommended to me to kindly consider leading a delegation to China in the coming months under the Exchange Programme of the Government of India with the International Department of the Communist Party of China.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 22, 2018
In response, on April 2, 2018, I appreciated her recommendation for me to lead the delegation to China under the Exchange Programme.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 22, 2018
I mentioned to her that “since the interest of my country is involved, I wish to visit China sometime during last week of June, 2018”.
Thereafter, in pursuance of the letters from Chief Secretary and the Ambassador of India in China, a programme was chalked out, based on which we planned our visit in the coming week.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 22, 2018
Till yesterday, everything was going on well, but unfortunately, the Chinese side could not confirm the political meetings at appropriate level as informed by our Ambassador in China.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 22, 2018
Till yesterday, everything was going on well, but unfortunately, the Chinese side could not confirm the political meetings at appropriate level as informed by our Ambassador in China.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 22, 2018
It has now been intimated by our Ambassador in China that the political meetings at the appropriate level under the Exchange Programme could not be confirmed. Therefore, the purpose of my visit with a delegation to China under the Exchange Programme is of no use.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 22, 2018
Although our Ambassador in China had tried his best to make the programme a success, non-confirmation of the political meetings at the appropriate level as proposed by the Indian Ambassador to China, at the last moment, has unfortunately compelled us to cancel the visit.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 22, 2018
She said she will want to see the friendship of India and China to continue.
However, I wish the continuation of the friendship of India and China in the days to come and it should strengthen further in the interest of both the countries.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 22, 2018
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