China dedicated to peace, stability in S. Asia
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-04-20 19:32
China would make concerted efforts with South Asian countries to promote
regional peace and stability, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said
here on Thursday.
Hailing the 4-point guidelines granting observer status to China and Japan
prepared by the Standing Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) last Tuesday, Qin said at a regular press conference that
China would explore new ways for promoting mutual beneficial cooperation so as
to seek common prosperity and development with South Asian nations.
This would "unfold a new chapter" in the bilateral relations between China
and the SAARC, Qin said.
Noting that China and South Asian countries were friendly neighbors and had
extensive common interests in safeguarding regional peace and stability, Qin
expressed the wish that all procedures be finalized soon so that China could
become a full observer at an early date.
The SAARC Standing Committee decided in principle to grant the Republic of
Korea and the United States observer status as well.
The SAARC, which was formed in 1985, consists of seven countries, including
Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal and
Bhutan.
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