Sunday, January 23 2005 17:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: Ahead of the first-ever Sino-India strategic dialogue in New Delhi tomorrow (Jan 24, 2005), Beijing today (Jan 23, 2005) said the mechanism is of "great significance" for the two neighbours to further develop their friendly bilateral relationship as well as discuss regional and international issues of common concern.

"We believe that the first China-India strategic dialogue will be of great significance," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan said, adding it would push forward the friendly and cooperative relationship in a comprehensive way.

Kong said the Chinese side to the strategic dialogue would be led by Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who left Beijing for New Delhi yesterday. India would be represented by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.

He said the two sides will exchange views on bilateral, international and regional issues of common concern.

The main focus will be on important global issues, official sources said here.

UN reforms, developments in Iraq and issues relating to Afghanistan, Iran and North Korea are also expected to figure during the parleys.