China today defended its ambitious 46 billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC project, saying the initiative was aimed at improving livelihood of people in the area and will not affect Beijing's stand on the Kashmir issue. <br/><br/>Reacting to a motion tabled in the UK parliament condemning Pakistan's arbitrary move to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region as its fifth province, China said its position on the issue of Kashmir is consistent.<br/><br/>Commenting on the motion, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it, was a motion moved by a member and not a resolution. Beijing said, Kashmir is an issue between India and Pakistan, left over from history and it should be properly handled by them through dialogue and consultation.<br/><br/>Pakistan media reports had said, the move to incorporate Gilgit-Baltistan as new province after seven decades of independence followed pressure from China over the disputed status of the two areas which formed part of the CPEC.