China on Monday defended its border patrols as “normal” activities to safeguard its territorial sovereignty, urging India to work with it to maintain peace along the disputed boundary amid differences over patrolling patterns.

“China strictly abides by the relevant agreements and common understandings reached between the two countries and conducts normal border patrol and control activities to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and stability in the border areas,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference.

Responding to a question citing India’s assertion that the border situation is disturbed when Chinese forces deviate from established patrolling patterns, Guo said the two countries maintained communication through diplomatic and military channels.

“We hope that India will work with China in the same direction by jointly implementing the common understandings reached between the two sides and maintaining peace and tr...