BEIJING: China hoped on Saturday that Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's five-day visit would have a positive impact on the prevailing situation in South Asia.

"We are looking forward to exert our influence for normalisation of relations between our two immediate neighbours, Pakistan and India," said officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The officials told APP here that situation in South Asia, in the context of India-Pakistan relation, would figure in the talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Vajpayee on Monday. "During the talks, the Chinese side will reiterate its consistent position, that India and Pakistan should resume talks as early as possible for peaceful settlement of their outstanding disputes," said an official, adding: "We support and appreciate the peace initiatives recently taken by the two countries."

Responding to a question, the officials categorically stated that Vajpayee's visit to Beijing, beginning from Sunday (today), would not affect the existing deep-rooted traditional Sino-Pak friendship. They added Pakistan and China maintained momentum in developing excellent friendly relations over the years and these could not be affected in any manner whatsoever. "China is engaged in developing relations with all its neighbours in the quest to promote peace and accelerate economic development, the official said, adding: "Friendship with India is not targeted against any third country."

During an interview to Indian media, ahead of Vajpayee's visit, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said that China was looking forward for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute. "India and Pakistan should settle their bilateral disputes through dialogue," he said. Wen hoped Prime Minister Vajpayee's visit will have a positive impact on bilateral relations and regional peace and stability.

In reply to a question about China's border disputes with India, he said: "Beijing is ready to advance the pace of talks for a fair and mutually acceptable solution to the vexed Sino-India boundary issue." He underlined the need for maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border. "The boundary issue is "a historical burden on our two countries left over by the colonialists," he remarked.

The Chinese side stands for a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the issue, a solution that can be found through bilateral talks in accordance with the principles of consultation on an equal footing, mutual understanding, mutual accommodation and mutual adjustment," Wen said.

He said while the two sides are negotiating a solution to the border issue, Beijing and New Delhi should do their best to keep the border areas peaceful and tranquil. He allayed fears that China might emerge as a threat and seek hegemony in the region because of its rising economic and military might.

Wen Jiabao's Indian counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee hopes his visit to China will build trust between the two countries and promote trade and investment.

In an interview with China Central Television, Vajpayee said economic ties would be a major theme of the trip and his talks with the Chinese leaders would "build better understanding and trust between our two peoples, and impart further momentum to our broad-based bilateral cooperation".

Vajpayee told CCTV: "We have successfully developed mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, while simultaneously addressing our differences." He added: "I will discuss with the Chinese leadership pro-active measures to identify and exploit new opportunities for economic and technological cooperation."