Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed his Bhutanese counterpart Tandi Dorji as the two nations discuss establishing diplomatic ties and hope to swiftly resolve their boundary issue, according to Beijing. Beijing claims that Dorji came to China to discuss border issues.
A Chinese readout of the meeting said Bhutan firmly abides by the ‘One China’ principle and stands ready to work with Beijing for an early settlement of the boundary issue and “advance the political process of establishing diplomatic relations”.
Bhutan has stated many times this year that it is very close to reaching a settlement with China over its border dispute and that Beijing is not a major source of concern for it. With the sensitive Doklam dispute between China and Bhutan and the determination of the Bhutan-China-India tri-junction, in which India is also a stakeholder, the Indian government has been monitoring the negotiations to see if they will have any impact on the security situation. India has repeatedly reminded China that, as per a 2012 understanding, the trijunction boundary points between India, China and third countries has to be finalised in consultation with the countries concerned.
Wang informed Dorji, who was paying a rare visit to China, that Bhutan's long-term and core interests are fully served by the resolution of boundary disputes and the establishing of diplomatic relations.
“China is ready to work with Bhutan in the same direction, seize the historic opportunity, complete this important process as soon as possible, and fix and develop China-Bhutan friendly relations in legal form,” he said.
Beijing quoted Dorji as saying the two countries had enjoyed a traditional friendship and that he thanked China for its strong support and assistance to Bhutan.