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Ties with India, Pak independent of each other: China

Anil K Joseph in Beijing

China on Monday said its desire to have a "healthy, stable and good-neighbourly" relation with India would have no impact on its ties with Pakistan.

"India and Pakistan are China's neighbours. The development of Sino-Indian relations cannot influence Sino-Pakistani relations. The development of Sino-Pakistani relations also must not influence Sino-Indian relations," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said in response to a question.

"China sincerely hopes for friendly relations and common development with India," Zhang said, as Beijing was getting ready to welcome Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf next month.

"Maintaining a healthy Sino-Indian relation on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence is beneficial to the common aspiration and basic interests of both the peoples," she said.

Since this year, the development of Sino-Indian relations had been excellent, Zhang said, pointing out to the various bilateral visits and increasing bilateral economic cooperation.

Zhang also noted that after the September 11 strikes in the United States, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan had spoken on phone with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.

Zhang said a consensus was reached between Singh and Tang on combating international terrorism.

Commenting on the recent meeting between Singh and Tang in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Zhang said the two sides exchanged views on bilateral ties and current international situation.

Singh, who had postponed his scheduled trip to Beijing in October, told Tang that he would visit China at a convenient time next year, the spokeswoman said.

Asked about Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's postponed trip to India, Zhang said both sides were holding consultations on the issue.

Zhu postponed his maiden official visit to India in view of the uncertainties arising out of the September 11 terrorist incident.

PTI

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