China expresses concern over US embassy's expansion plans in Islamabad

Islamabad, Sep.5 (ANI): China has expressed concerns over reports of a massive expansion of the US embassy in Islamabad.

Addressing a press conference here, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui said that the expansion of the American embassy should be in accordance with the rules and regulations of Pakistan and should respect its sovereignty.

"China has concerns over expansion of US embassy in Islamabad and the United States should expand its embassy by materializing rules and regulations of Pakistan," Zhaohui said.

Responding to a question, Zhaohui said Beijing has no plans to station its security forces in the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, as it is satisfied with the security cover being provided by the Pakistan government.

"We have no plan to deploy Chinese Army in our consulate," The Nation quoted Zhaohui, as saying.

Zhaohui also raised questions over the US' AFPAK policy, and said that Pakistan should not be linked with Afghanistan, as it is a sovereign state unlike its neighbour where the US led allied forces are engaged in a brutal battle against extremism for the last eight years.

"China is against using the term Af-Pak for Pakistan, as it is a sovereign state which should not be compared with Afghanistan where the US and allied forces are battling against insurgency," he said.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had rejected media reports that the US is planning to send more Marines to Pakistan.

Malik said the news that US has hired 300 houses in Islamabad was 'baseless'.

"US, China and Turkey have applied for extra land for extension of their embassies. akistan is a sovereign country, who ever come to Pakistan should have to obey the laws and regulations of this country," Malik said.

He also rebutted reports regarding the presence of controversial US firm 'Blackwater' inside the country's territory.

"Blackwater is not operating in Pakistan-we have our own system, rules and regulations-we will not allow any body to operate from here," Malik said. (ANI)