KOLKATA: Even as India and China remain engaged in a standoff at Doklam, the Chinese Consul-General here today said peace and tranquility along the border are valuable to both countries and they should focus on areas of shared interest.
Ma Zhanwu expressed hope that the current "situation will be dealt with in a rational, objective and constructive way so that the issue can be sorted out as soon as possible".
He said China and India have differences and problems, but yet their shared interests are far more important.
"There are always differences, problems (between nations). It's just like brothers and sisters. If you have a brother or a sister you will have differences. You might have differences with your parents as well. But that doesn't mean you cannot get along with them. That doesn't mean you totally stop dealing with your brother on other issues," he said.
He said the two countries should focus on where they can cooperate and work hard to expand their cooperation, their mutual benefits.
"Peace and tranquility along the India-China border are valuable to both China and India," Ma told reporters here.
His comments come after his country's defence ministry's warning late last night that its 'restraint' has a "bottom line".
The reaction of the Chinese defence ministry had come a day after India's External Affairs Ministry in a statement said peace and tranquility along the India-China boundary constituted the important prerequisite for a smooth development of bilateral relationship.
Asked to comment on India's action on the issue, Ma said, "I am not someone to play a judge here, but the Chinese government has published a document on August 2 and it has said everything that the Chinese government wants to say."