Beijing: China has expressed hope that the special representative-level boundary negotiations with India, initiated by the two Governments last year to speed up the process, will continue despite the change of guard in New Delhi.

"In the past, two rounds of talks have been held between the special representatives of China and India on the border issue. We hope the process will continue with the consent of the new Indian Government," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

Asked whether the resignation of Brajesh Mishra as National Security Advisor, who was also the special representative to the Sino-India boundary talks would affect the future of negotiations, Liu expressed the hope that personnel changes will not affect the process.

"I hope that the change of personnel won't affect such a process," he said, adding that "we respect the decision by our Indian friends."

The spokesman also made it clear that it was up to the new Indian Government to decide on the issue of appointing a new special representative for border negotiations with China.

"I don't think it needs China's approval," Liu said.

The future of boundary talks figured during the first telephone conversation between Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh on Wednesday (May 26, 2004), official sources said.