The negotiations, being conducted at diplomatic level, were held in a “very cordial” atmosphere, the sources said.

It may be recalled that on May 3 both the countries had agreed to start negotiations with a view to signing an agreement for demarcation of the undemarcated border been China’s Sinkiang and the contiguous areas the defence of which is under the actual control of Pakistan.

Pakistan’s new Ambassador to China, Gen A.M. Raza, is entrusted with the task of negotiating with the Chinese Government on behalf of Pakistan.

A message from Peking quoted the “New China” news agency reporting the opening of talks on the border area.

An “AFP report from Hong Kong adds: Officials from Pakistan and People’s China met in Peking today to begin talks on defining the boundary between China’s Sinkiang province and contiguous areas under the control of Pakistan, “New China” news agency monitored here said.

The talks were begun following a decision by both Governments to conduct negotiations on the border question through diplomatic channels.—Staff Correspondent