BEIJING, Aug 2: Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Friday praised the “firm” stand against terrorism taken by President Pervez Musharraf, state media said.

Jiang and Musharraf met in Beijing for talks that focussed on relations between Pakistan and India, and the global fight against terrorism, the official Xinhua news agency said.

President Musharraf made a brief stopover in Beijing after visits to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Chinese president praised President Musharraf’s “firm and clear” stance against terrorism since the attacks on the United States on Sept 11 last year, the agency said.

The Chinese president said Beijing continued to support all efforts to ease tension between India and Pakistan.

“China hopes Pakistan and India can solve their disputes peacefully through dialogue,” he said.

“China supports all efforts to alleviate the tension between Pakistan and India and to safeguard peace and stability in South Asia,” Jiang was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

President Musharraf responded that Pakistan did not want to be involved in a war and would not start a war, and assured that Pakistan would “do its best to realize regional peace and stability,” Xinhua said.

President Musharraf also briefed President Jiang Zemin on the latest developments in Pakistan and on regional security issues. China urged Pakistan and India to unite against terrorism and vowed to promote peace and stability between its two neighbours.

The Chinese president also brought up the situation in Afghanistan, saying the war-torn country was still facing a number of difficulties and challenges on the path towards peace.

China attached importance to Afghan ties and would help support peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, Jiang said.

It was the third time Gen Musharraf had visited China since late last year, with the US-led war on terrorism also emerging as a major issue since Pakistan became a crucial ally of Washington.

After the talks ended shortly before noon, President Musharraf left Beijing for home, a Chinese foreign ministry official said.—Agencies