By Kaveesha Fernando
NEW DELHI, India (CWBN)_ In another development in the Indo-Sino hostilities, China has accused India of discriminatory practices which violate World Trade Organisation rules after the latter decided to ban 43 more Chinese apps, bringing the total number of apps banned to 220 (the majority of which are Chinese). “India should immediately correct its discriminatory approach and avoid causing further damage to bilateral cooperation”, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday (November 25).
While heavily criticizing India, a statement made by the Chinese Embassy in India also stated that India and China 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. The embassy stated that this would give China and India opportunities for each other’s development rather than viewing each other as threats.
“We firmly oppose the Indian side’s repeated use of “national security” as an excuse to prohibit some Mobile APPs with Chinese background,” the statement read. The Chinese government stated that they have always required overseas Chinese companies to abide by international rules and operate in compliance with laws and regulations. “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,” the statement added.
The ban affected several apps from the Alibaba Group as well as popular Chinese dating apps and video sharing apps, among others. The move comes as tensions between India and China boil over on many frontiers, most notably with regard to the border dispute between the two nations over the Ladakh region. The peace plan created earlier this month to deescalate hostilities in the region is unlikely to be effective as things stand.
Edited by Elishya Perera
