January 14, 2002	Monday	Shawwal 29, 1422

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BEIJING, Jan 13: China hailed President Pervez Musharraf’s pledge to crack down on extremists on Sunday, saying it showed Pakistan’s willingness to settle a tense standoff with India through dialogue.

The comments by foreign ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi, in reference to Gen Musharraf’s landmark address on Saturday, came after Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrived in India for talks.

China, which has repeatedly urged both sides to exercise restraint and come to the negotiating table, said Gen Musharraf’s speech was a step in the right direction.

“This will be conducive to easing the tensions in the region,” state television quoted Mr Sun as saying.

“President Musharraf’s speech demonstrated Pakistan’s determination to suppress religious extremist forces at home and stressed its willingness to solve the dispute with India through dialogue,” the spokesman said.

He said China wanted to see both India and Pakistan take active measures to ease the conflict.—Reuters

APP ADDS: “This will help relieve the tension in the region, and it conforms to the consensus of the international community on anti- terrorism. It is also in the long-term interests of Pakistan, said Mr Sun.

Giving comments to APP on the president’s address, he said China expected Pakistan and India to take active measures to ease tension in their relations.

China understands and respects the Pakistan government’s efforts towards safeguarding domestic stability, and Beijing believes Islamabad will maintain national unity, social stability and economic development under the leadership of Gen Musharraf, Mr Sun said.

He noted that Pakistan and India were both important countries in South Asia, and China hoped that they could take measures to ease the tension.

This would be of benefit to both India and Pakistan, and would help bring peace, stability and development to the South Asian region, he added.