KARACHI, Sept 17: China has called for the resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve all outstanding issues.

“Tension between Islamabad and New Delhi has now reduced slightly. We have asked both the countries to resume dialogue as war does not solve problems”, said Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Zhang Chunxiang.

Talking to newsmen at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA), he hoped Pakistan and India will again start talks for resolving their outstanding issues.

Mr Chunxiang said two high-level delegations from China, one led by the Vice Minister for Defence and the other by Lt-Gen of Peoples Liberation Army are participating in the five-day International Defence Exhibition and Seminar IDEAS-2002 which began in Karachi on Monday.

Later talking to PIIA chairman Fatehyab Ali Khan, he spoke of the close friendly relations and cooperation in various fields between Pakistan and China. He expressed the confidence that these ties and cooperation would strengthen further in future.

Mr Fatehyab said that the PIIA intends to start Chinese language classes at the Institute. He asked Mr Chunxiang to arrange Chinese teachers for this purpose. The ambassador assured to do the needful.

Mr Chunxiang met the members of PIIA and visited the auditorium and library of the Institute where he met students doing research work.—PPI