Tuesday, December 05, 2000, updated at 17:49(GMT+8)
China
China Supports Efforts to Improve India-Pakistan Ties
China welcomes and supports all the efforts conducive to improving India-Pakistan relations and easing regional intense situation.
The remarks made by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue December 5 when answering a question concerning Pakistan's recent proposal that both India and Pakistan cease fire in the line of control in Kashmir, and Pakistan's armed forces exercise the utmost restraint, and Pakistan's suggestion on holding a three-party talks attended by India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris to discuss ways to peaceful settlement to the Kashmir disputes.
At a press conference, Zhang said that China has noted the Pakistani government's recent proposal that the Pakistani armed forces in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir exercise the utmost restraint, and Pakistan would like to hold meaningful dialogues with India on the Kashmir issue.
She said that the Chinese government has pursued a "consistent and clear-cut" stance on the Kashmir issue, adding that "We welcome and support all the efforts conducive to improving India-Pakistan relations and easing regional intense situation, which conforms to the fundamental interests and common aspiration of the peoples of both India and Pakistan and also benefits peace, stability and development in south Asia."