China sincerely hopes that Pakistan and India would practically implement the United Nations Security Council resolution No.1172 and prevent the arms race in South Asian region from further escalating, said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing January 18.

The spokesman, Zhu Bangzao, responding to a question concerning the Kashmir issue at January 18's routine press conference, pointed out that due to historical and regional reasons, there are certain problems existing between south Asian countries.

However, he noted, China hopes that all parties concerned would properly handle their divergence through peaceful negotiations, and therefore become good neighbors, friends and partners, who would jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

Zhu also talked about Pakistani Chief Executive Pervez Musharaf's two-day working visit to China. Musharaf, who arrived in Beijing Monday morning, held talks with Premier Zhu Rongji Monday afternoon, and met with Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Li Peng this morning and President Jiang Zemin this afternoon. This is Musharaf's first China trip since he took the post last October.

The spokesman stressed that China and Pakistan are friendly neighbors, and China will not interfere in the internal affairs of Pakistan. China respects the choice made the Pakistani people themselves and believes that they can handle their own problems independently, he added. (Xinhua)