China on Tuesday expressed the hope that India and Pakistan would resolve bilateral concerned issues through dialogue and consultations.

"We hope to see the improvement of Indian-Pakistani relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference in responding to questions on the south Asia situation.

He said the improvement and development of the relationship between India and Pakistan, both as important nations in south Asia, would help regional peace and stability.

China would, as always, support efforts by both countries to improve bilateral relations and safeguard regional peace, Qin said.

As to last month's Mumbai terror attacks, which killed more than 170 people, Qin said China had strongly denounced the attacks.

"We agree that the international community should cooperate to fight terrorism," Qin said. He said that the identity of the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks awaited further investigation by concerned countries.

He called on India and Pakistan to work together through peaceful consultations to investigate the cause of the attacks and combat terrorism.

"We hope the region will maintain its peace and stability," Qin said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2008)