Jiang made the remarks in a meeting with Musharraf, who arrived in Beijing early Friday morning after concluding visits to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

"China supports all efforts to alleviate the tension between Pakistan and India and to safeguard peace and stability in south Asia," Jiang said.

Musharraf said Pakistan does not want to be involved in a war and will not start a war, pledging that Pakistan will do its best to realize regional peace and stability.

He also briefed Jiang on the latest domestic situation in Pakistan and gave views on the issues concerning south Asia and Afghanistan.

Musharraf is scheduled to return to Pakistan shortly after the meeting.

China Concerned About Afghanistan Issues

China has been concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and supports the process of peace and reconstruction there, Jiang told Musharraf during their meeting.

Jiang said the establishment of the Afghanistan government is a key step to lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan faces a number of difficulties and challenges on the path toward lasting peace, Jiang said, noting that China, as a friendly neighbor, attaches importance to the ties with Afghanistan and support the peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Jiang also spoke highly of the relations between China and Pakistan.

Over the past five decades since the two established diplomatic relations, China and Pakistan have respected, understood and supported each other, and bilateral ties are time-tested, said Jiang.

The policies Pakistan has adopted since the September 11 terrorist attacks are "firm and clear", and China appreciates them very much, Jiang said.

(Edited from Xinhua News Agency, August 2, 2002)