BEIJING, July 10: China has welcomed the friendly gestures recently shown by Pakistan and India to reduce tension in their bilateral relations.

“We hope it would lead towards settlement of their bilateral disputes,” said an official of the Chinese foreign office, while talking to APP.

China was looking forward to early resumption of talks between the two countries, he said and added: “Normalization of Pakistan-India relations is in the interest of the entire region for peace and development.”

China, he said, expected from its neighbouring countries that they would always exercise restraint and harmony in the efforts of resolving their bilateral disputes peacefully.

Replying to questions, he said: “There is a need to focus attention on strengthening the economy and improving the living conditions of the people.”

China hoped that countries concerned would take all necessary steps for settling their bilateral disputes through dialogue and other diplomatic means, he said.

His country, he said, was working on establishing good friendly relations with all its neighbours on the basis of peaceful coexistence.

He called for joint efforts for promoting peace and development in the region.

He expressed the hope that the issue of North Korea’s nuclear weapons would also be solved through peaceful means.

He said China was prepared to facilitate talks for peaceful settlement of disputes.—APP