BEIJING, March 6: Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Saturday said his country highly appreciated the strategic vision of leaders of Pakistan and India for their continuous efforts for settling their disputes through peaceful means.

At the yearly news conference held at the Great Hall of the People on the occasion of on-going session of 10th National People's Congress, he lauded the steps taken by Pakistan for improving its relations with India.

He said China was willing and ready to play a constructive role in making the peace process successful.

He said: "We in China are pleased to see that leaders of Pakistan and India are now trying every mean to improve their bilateral relations."

The minister added: "This has given an expression to strategic vision of leaders both the countries, as well as common aspirations of the peoples of the two countries."

"If friends from Pakistan and India are pleased to see China play a constructive role in this process. Than we are more than willing and ready to do so," Li Zhaoxing added.

Referring to Pakistan's role against terrorism, the Chinese foreign minister said over the years, China had also been victim of terrorism.

China, he said, had been taking an active part in the international anti-terror campaign. "We give high appraisal of the important role played by Pakistan in the global anti-terror campaign," he added.

At the outset, Li Zhaoxing said, China highly valued ties with its "friendly neighbour Pakistan."

He said China opposed terrorism in its all forms and manifestations. But, he said, there should be no double standards while dealing with the menace. Terrorism, he added, wherever it occurred, should be condemned and dealt with severely.

Li Zhaoxing said multi-lateralism was an effective way to deal with common challenges for humanity, while unilateralism had not proven to be popular.

"We have won more understanding, trust, respect and support from the international community, and enjoy higher status and greater influence in the international arena than ever before."

China's friendship with neighbouring countries was brought into a new height and China's relations with big countries and developing countries were further expanded in the past year.

Li Zhaoxing said that common interests of China and the United States were on the increase rather than on the decrease.

Mr Li, who served as Chinese Ambassador to the United States in 1998-2001, after the September 11 incident, said China and US have stepped up their cooperation against terrorism and non- proliferation of nuclear weapons.-APP