BEIJING - As China and Pakistan are close neighbors enjoying traditional friendship, defense and security cooperation is part of the normal cooperation between the two countries and does not target any third party, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a related question.

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Mao noted that India and Pakistan are and will always be each other's neighbors. They are important neighbors of China as well. Over the past weeks and months, China has closely followed the developments between India and Pakistan, actively promoted talks for peace, and worked to maintain regional peace and stability.

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"China welcomes and supports India and Pakistan in properly settling differences and seeking fundamental solutions through dialogue and consultation," she said. "China stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for this end."

Addressing the China-India relations, Mao noted they are "at a crucial stage of improvement and development." She added, "China stands ready to work with India to move bilateral relations forward on a sound and steady track."