China reacts on Prime Minister Modi's 15 August speech

China has finally reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Red Fort on August 15. On Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi had said that the country's sovereignty is paramount along with increasing military strength.

Prime Minister Modi had mentioned the military encounter in Ladakh without naming China. Modi had said that even in times of calamity, there was a dirty attempt to challenge the country's strength on the border. However, from LoC to LAC, the sovereignty of the country will be looked up to.

Speaking on Modi's speech, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, "We have heard Prime Minister Modi's speech. We are neighbors and a country with a population of over one billion, a fast-moving country on the path of progress.

Zhao told a regular press conference on Monday that improving India-China relations would not only benefit the people of the two countries, but also bring peace, stability and prosperity to the entire region and the world.

Zhao said that respecting each other and cooperating with each other is the right way for both the countries. In the interest of the future, China is determined to resolve its differences with India, as well as to build political trust and strengthen long-term bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Modi's speech is also being discussed in the Chinese media. Chinese state media have said that only after analyzing Modi's speech, China should think about what to do next.

Zhao Gencheng, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, wrote in an editorial in the Global Times, China's official mouthpiece, that India has not changed its stance since the August 8 military-level talks between China and India.

Zhao said in his speech that the speech could be viewed in two ways. One is that Modi has become more aggressive. Secondly, the Indian government feels that the steps taken so far against China are sufficient.