Beijing: Lauding as "positive" efforts of India and Pakistan to normalise their relations, China today (Nov 23, 2004) said it was "pleased" about increased regional cooperation in South Asia.

"Since this year, Pakistan and India have made a lot of efforts to relax their relations which are positive. They have maintained their contacts and all-round dialogues," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said.

"We support the efforts of India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and enhancement of their mutual trust. The relaxation of India-Pakistan relations is conducive to the peace and development of South Asia as well as the whole world," Zhang said while commenting on Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's imminent visit to India.

Zhang noted that regional cooperation process in South Asia also achieved great progress in recent times.

"China supports such a process and is pleased about it," she said.