Buoyed by a "successful" meeting between Indian and Chinese prime ministers during the weekend at the ASEAN summit, Beijing Tuesday hoped that the two sides could achieve "further progress' on the vexed boundary dispute based on the political guiding principles and consensus reached.

"We hope the meeting can make further progress," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters in Beijing while confirming that the ninth round of Special Representative-level parleys would be held in New Delhi from January 17 to 18.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Wu Dawei, who is also the Chinese Special Representative, will lead the Chinese delegation, he said.

India will be represented by National Security Adviser, M K Narayanan, who is also the Indian Special Representative to the India-China boundary talks mechanism, established in 2003.

"Both sides will further explore the solution of the boundary issue under the principles of political guidance and on the basis of the spirit of peace, friendship, equal consultations, mutual respect and mutual understanding," Liu said.

The upcoming round of boundary talks is the first since Chinese President Hu Jintao visited India in November last year when the two sides agreed to speed up the negotiations.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen exchanges in the field of macro-economic strategy, look into the possibility of establishing permanent consultation mechanism between

officials and experts of the two countries.

The two leaders also agreed to further strengthen consultations on international and regional affairs.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen exchanges in the field of macro-economic strategy, look into the possibility of establishing permanent consultation mechanism between

officials and experts of the two countries.

The two leaders also agreed to further strengthen consultations on international and regional affairs.