Thursday, February 24 2005 17:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: In an indirect reference to the possible sale of Patriot missile Defence systems to India by the US, China today (Feb 24, 2005) hoped that the activities of "relevant countries" will be conducive for maintenance of peace and stability in South Asia.

"We have taken note of reports that certain country plans to sell anti-missile weapon systems to India," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said, without naming the United States.

"We hope that the activities of relevant countries will be conducive for the maintenance of peace and stability in South Asia," he said.

Asked whether the sale of Patriot anti-missiles to India would result in a new arms race in South Asia, the spokesman said that, a nuclear arms race in the region is not conducive to any party.

"So we hope relevant countries in South Asia will continue to properly resolve their disputes through dialogues and negotiations and work together to maintain regional peace, stability and development," he said, apparently referring to India and Pakistan.

At the same time, Kong noted that India and Pakistan have taken a number of steps to normalise their bilateral ties recently.

The Chinese Government welcomes the efforts of India and Pakistan to properly resolve their difference through peaceful dialogue because China is a friendly neighbour to the two countries in South Asia, Kong said.

"We will work together with these two countries to maintain peace and stability in South Asia so that we can commit ourselves to national development," he said.

Chinese media reports have noted that the US shares the Patriot missile technology with Israel, Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.