China willing to play role in improving Pakistan-India ties

BEIJING: China appreciated Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks to resolve all disputes, including the Kashmir issue, through dialogue and showed willingness to play a constructive role in improving ties between two nations.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing in Beijing, “We have noticed relevant reports and welcomed the positive attitude of the Pakistani and Indian leaders in improving bilateral relations.”

"Both Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia...China firmly supports the two sides to enhance dialogue to increase mutual trust, properly handle (disputes) and solve their differences," Mr Lu said.

China hopes the two countries can jointly stay committed to regional peace and development, he said. "China is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect," he added.

On August 20, Indian Prime Minister Modi sent a letter to Imran Khan, conveying that New Delhi was looking for constructive and meaningful engagement with Islamabad.

In a tweet yesterday Imran Khan said that Pakistan was ready to re-start the stalled India-Pakistan peace process and said the two countries must engage in dialogue to resolve their differences, including on the Kashmir issue, and start trade.

Answering the question that what kind of constructive role China can play between two countries, Lu Kang said, "It is certainly a good thing that everything is in the interest of both Pakistan and India to continuously improve relations and work together for peace and stability in the region.

"I have already said that we are very happy to see that the leaders of both Pakistan and India have recently made positive statements aimed at improving mutual relations, As long as there is any possibility, China is, of course, willing to play a positive and constructive role," he added.

Responding to a question that whether China play a mediator's role between two countries, the spokesman commented, "I can't give you a prejudgment now, telling you where and when China will do something.

"It is clear that a constructive role is any role that is conducive to advancing, consolidating and continuing the positive momentum," he mentioned.