China, India should solve dispute through talks

BEIJING - China and India should work together to find a mutually-acceptable and fair solution to their boundary disputes through friendly talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday.

"We should maintain the peace and stability of the boundary areas before a solution is found," Hong said at a regular news briefing.

According to media reports, Indian army chief Bikram Singh said Wednesday that Chinese soldiers were in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir to provide protection to their ongoing infrastructure work, such as road, railway and hydro-electric projects. He also said military conflict at boundary areas like the one in 1962 would not be repeated.

"China's stance on the Kashmir issue is consistent and clear. As a friendly neighbor to both India and Pakistan, we hope both countries can resolve the issue through friendly dialogue," Hong said.

President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced 2012 as the year of China-India cooperation and friendship. Bilateral relations have continued to maintain momentum with healthy and stable development. This has been evidenced by frequent high-level visits, enhanced cooperation in various areas and sound partnership in regional and international affairs, Hong said.

China is willing to make joint efforts with India to promote political trust, pragmatic cooperation and mutual development to better implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, Hong said.