BEIJING – China appreciated Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Imran Khan andIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks to resolve all disputes,including the Kashmir issue, through dialogue and showed willingness toplay a constructive role in improving ties between two nations.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular pressbriefing in Beijing, “We have noticed relevant reports and welcomed thepositive attitude of the Pakistani and Indian leaders in improvingbilateral relations.”
He further said that Pakistan and India are important countries in SouthAsia, adding that improvement and development of bilateral relations iscrucial to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
“As a common neighbour of Pakistan and India, China firmly supportsPakistan and India to strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual trust, properlycontrol and resolve differences, and work together for regional peace anddevelopment while China is willing to continue to play a constructive rolein this regard.”
Imran Khan on Tuesday posted on Twitter, “To move forward, Pakistan andIndia must have a dialogue and resolve their conflicts including Kashmir.”
He further said that “The best way to alleviate poverty and uplift thepeople of the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogueand start trading.”
PM Modi earlier sent a letter to his Pakistani counterpart, expressing hopefor meaningful and constructive contacts with Pakistan.
Answering the question that what kind of constructive role China can playbetween two countries, Lu Kang said, “It is certainly a good thing thateverything is in the interest of both Pakistan and India to continuouslyimprove 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 bothPakistan and India have recently made positive statements aimed atimproving 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 betweentwo countries, the spokesman commented, “I can’t give you a prejudgmentnow, telling you where and when China will do something.