China on Thursday welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to attend the seventh summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

"We hope Prime Minister Taro Aso's China visit to be fruitful and the bilateral relations can be improved and developed constantly," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

He said the Chinese leaders were expecting to meet with Aso and to exchange views on promoting the strategic and reciprocal relationship and the mutual beneficial cooperation in various fields.

Qin said the Chinese leaders would take the chance of the summit to meet with Singh and to exchange views on international and regional issues of common concern.

This was conducive to maintaining political dialogue and enhance mutual trust for the two sides.

Singh arrived in Beijing Thursday evening and Aso is scheduled to arrive Thursday night.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2008)