The Chinese people are getting used to the US and Western countries' obvious double standards on China, the editorial claimed. The Global Times hailed Delhi for maintaining strategic sobriety and independent foreign policy.

A top state-run Chinese media outlet has decried what it called Western double standards in its reaction to India's Anti-Satellite Missile Test vis-a-vis similar test by China in 2007.

“China carried out an anti-satellite missile test in 2007, which was strongly criticised by the US and other Western countries. India conducted the same test, but instead of condemning the country, the West viewed it from the China-India competition perspective. Only a US official warned nations of space debris caused by the test, without any moral accusations,” state-run Global Times wrote in an editorial titled ‘Anti-satellite test shouldn’t stir India’s nationalism.’

The Chinese people are getting used to the US and Western countries' obvious double standards on China, the editorial claimed. “China was the world's third largest economy in 2007, which was clearly rising. Today's India is developing rapidly, but its economy is only a fifth of China's. India's development is uneven. Its manufacturing and infrastructure are relatively weak and there's a huge gap between rich and poor. So, Western countries haven't formed an "India threat theory." For them, India is more likely a counterweight to China. China should partly understand India's strong nationalism against China.”

“…India should understand that it will trail China in military and comprehensive strength for a long time.”

However, the Global Times hailed Delhi for maintaining strategic sobriety and independent foreign policy. “China and India changed their fate during the same period of globalisation. Their ways of development are different, but their demands on international rules and order are similar. Their interests are interconnected, and they are not in a zero-sum game.”

MASOOD AZHAR 

Meanwhile, on Friday China stated it was wrong to accuse it of sheltering terrorists because it put a technical hold on the resolution to blacklist Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group chief Masood Azhar as its decision was in line with the rules of an anti-terrorism panel at the UN.

"If certain country accuses China of sheltering (terrorists) by putting such technical hold, does that mean that all countries that put hold are sheltering terrorists? If this makes sense, shall we say that the country that puts the most holds is the biggest protectors of terrorists?" asked Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang.

"China put a technical hold with a purpose to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth assessment so as to give enough time and space to dialogue and consultation between the parties. China has stayed in close communication with all parties to seek a settlement through dialogue. We hope all the members of the Security Council will work towards that goal," the spokesperson added.