Thursday, September 7 2006 16:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: Describing both India and Pakistan as 'good friends' of China, a senior Chinese official here has expressed Beijing's keenness to step up its counter-terrorism cooperation with New Delhi to ensure peace and stability in the sub-continent.

"India is a good friend of China, so is Pakistan. Both countries are important ones in south Asia," the newly-appointed Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister, Kong Quan told a group of visiting Indian journalists here.

"As a good friend of both India and Pakistan, our only wish is that your sub-continent and especially your two countries will realise good neighbourliness, friendship and common prosperity," Kong said when asked to comment on Beijing's fast-growing ties with New Delhi and its all-weather friendship with Islamabad.

"We do feel happy for you when we see new developments in your bilateral relationship and increasing trust between your two countries. So we hope that relevant parties will work together to maintain peace and stability on the Southern Asia sub-continent and all the countries on the continent will be able to realise common prosperity," he said.

On the issue of terrorism, he said India and China were not alone in facing the threat posed by terrorists.

"After the end of the Cold War, the challenges posed by traditional and non-traditional challenges are not only faced by India and China alone. It is posed to the humanity as a whole and the international community," he said.