Beijing: Ahead of the April 28-29 SAARC
summit, China, which has an observer status in the 8-nation
bloc, on Thursday described it as "the most important regional
cooperation organisation" in South Asia and said there has
been constant progress in its relationship with the grouping.
"Since China joined the organisation as an observer, there
has been constant progress in China and SAARC cooperation,"
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told a media briefing
in response to a question.
"In future, China will continue to have equal dialogue
and practical cooperation with SAARC in the spirit of mutual
benefit, cooperation and win-win outcome and hopes to play
constructive role for regional peace, stability and
prosperity," she said.
The Chinese delegation at the SAARC summit to be held in
the Bhutanese capital Thimphu on April 28 and 29 would be
represented by Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya, she said.
"As the most important regional cooperation organisation
in South Asia, SAARC has played an active role in promoting
cooperation among member states in advancing social, economic
development of the region," Jiang said.
"China wishes the summit a complete success and expects
to see greater development of SAARC and its greater
contribution to world peace, stability and development," she
said.
China along with the US, Australia, European Commission,
Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar and South Korea, has been
granted the observer status in the regional grouping
comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri
Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan.
PTI
