Beijing: Ahead of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit after this month, China on June 3 urged India not to view its northern neighbour as a "threat" and suggested taking further steps to enhance mutual trust and cooperation to boost Sino-Indian ties.

"It is important that both countries do not consider each other as threats," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said while commenting on the recently-released annual report of India's Defence Ministry, which pointed out at the nuclear asymmetry between the armed forces of China and India, Beijing's continued close Defence ties with Pakistan and threat from its missiles to major Indian cities.

"We believe that if both sides adhere to the five principles of peaceful co-existence, increase trust, strengthen cooperation, Sino-Indian relations then can continuously develop," Zhang said when asked to comment on the report which seems to have toned down the usual 'China threat' language after Defence Minister George Fernandes made a successful visit to China in April.

Zhang also emphasised that strengthening the relations between the two countries and friendly cooperation are important part of China's foreign policy.

"Sino-India relations have developed recently," Zhang said pointing at the first meeting between Vajpayee new Chinese President Hu Jintao at St Petersburg on May 31 on the sidelines of the celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of the historic city.

PTI