Tuesday, April 12 2005 18:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: Describing the Sino-India agreement on the "political guiding principles" to resolve the boundary issue as an important achievement, China today said that Premier Wen Jiabao's India visit was "very successful" and "very fruitful."

"Premier Wen's visit to India has been very successful and very fruitful," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing.

Commenting on Wen's April 9-12 India visit, Qin said that an important achievement is that the two countries reached agreement on the "political guiding principles" on solving the boundary issue and signed related documents.

It mainly includes that on the basis of five principles of peaceful co-existence, the two countries, proceed from the overall bilateral relations, seek a "fair and reasonable solution to the boundary issue acceptable to both sides through equal consultations," he said.

"Both sides agreed that the final solution to the boundary issue would greatly promote the good-neighbourly friendship between the two countries. Before the final solution, both sides should strictly respect and abide by the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and make joint efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border area," Qin said.

On the expansion of the UN Security Council (UNSC) of which India wants to be a permanent member, he said, "The Chinese position has been consistent. The Chinese side supports the reform of the UNSC."

"The purpose is to enhance the capability of the UNSC to maintain international peace and security, to increase the efficiency of the UNSC and to maintain the Council's authority," Qin said.

He said that in the enlarged UNSC, priority should be given to increasing the representation of developing countries. "The reform is significant and there should be extensive consultation among the member States."

"There should be consensus. To force a vote on any immature proposal is not conducive for the solidarity of the UNSC, neither would it be conducive for maintaining the authority of the Security Council," he said, emphasising that the related developments should not be limited to the two models.

"Any vote should not be forced," Qin added.