BEIJING: China on Wednesday welcomed holding of a meeting between Directors General Military Opera-tions (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India next week.

Both Pakistan and India are important nations in South Asia, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, when her attention was drawn to reports that a meeting of DGMOs of the two countries had been slated for Dec 24 to discuss ways to prevent violation of ceasefire on the Line of Control.

Ms Hua, at a regular press conference here, said the steps initiated by the two countries for improvement of their relationship would have great significance for the whole region.

She said as a friend and neighbour of both India and Pakistan, China was committed to supporting the two sides in solving their differences through dialogue and consultation.

The decision to hold the DGMO-level talks was taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the fringes of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York in September.

According to media reports, the initiative for holding the DGMO meeting was moved by Pakistan and was subsequently accepted by India.

The DGMOs will reportedly meet at the Attari-Wagah border on Dec 24.—APP