ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: China called on Monday for immediate steps for de-escalation of tension and resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan and warned that a lingering crisis would strengthen terrorists.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei, who is here as his government’s special envoy, held a series of meetings with the top political and military leadership, counselling restraint in the interest of peace and security in South Asia.

In his meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid, the Chinese minister said his country was committed to helping Pakistan and India to avoid a conflict and it expected the two countries to exercise restraint and resolve outstanding disputes through cooperation and dialogue.

He termed Pakistan’s approach constructive and said that Beijing would remain engaged to promote peace and stability in the region.The Chinese minister’s visit took place at a time when tension seemed to be receding with both the countries denying mobilisation of troops and India claiming that it had not set any deadline for a crackdown on terrorists by Pakistan.

During his talks with Mr Zardari, the special envoy said China hoped Pakistan would continue its efforts to resolve the issue in an amicable manner.

The president agreed on the need to avoid further vitiation of the atmosphere and said Pakistan offered sustained and pragmatic cooperation to deal with the problem of terrorism. India is yet to respond to Pakistan’s proposals for cooperation in the investigation.

Mr Zardari regretted that instead of responding to Pakistan’s positive gestures, India engaged in blame game which was counter-productive.

In his meeting with Mr Gilani, the Chinese minister praised Pakistan’s mature and restrained approach and hoped that both sides would continue to show restraint and cooperate with each other in the investigation.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s firm resolve to maintain good relations with all its neighbours. He, however, regretted that elements inimical to cordial Pakistan-India ties and terrorists were the only beneficiaries of the situation which evolved in the aftermath of the Mumbai tragedy. He termed terrorism a global menace, with Pakistan being its worst victim.

He reaffirmed his government’s determination to persist in its efforts to eradicate terrorism and called for collective actions by all countries in the region.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed China’s efforts to defuse tension and said Pakistan shared its desire for peace and stability in the region.

He reaffirmed the government’s position to resolve all issues with India peacefully and referred to Islamabad’s proposal for serious, sustained and pragmatic cooperation to deal with the region-wide problem of terrorism.

Mr Qureshi said Pakistan had been playing a proactive role in the fight against terrorism in compliance with its international obligations. It will continue to take effective measures against terrorism and extremism because it is in its own interest.

During his meeting with the Chinese minister, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani stressed the need for “de-escalation and avoiding conflict”.

JCSC Chairman General Tariq Majid discussed regional security and matters of bilateral interest with Mr Yafei.

Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment for maintaining regional peace and stability in a cooperative framework with all its neighbours, Gen Majid emphasised the need for avoiding belligerent posturing and initiating reciprocal measures for immediate de-escalation and resumption of dialogue.