Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Tuesday China believes that India will take effective measures to ensure a smooth and safe Olympic torch relay in the capital New Delhi.

Speaking at a press conference, Jiang said as India has repeatedly said that the Olympic torch relay in New Delhi is not only an honor for Indians but also an honor for all Asians, the country paid great attention to the event.

"We believe that the relay will gain the support of all Indians and effective cooperation from the Indian side, and we believe the Indians will take effective measures to ensure a smooth and safe relay in New Delhi," she said.

She stressed that if any "Tibetan independence" organizations wanted to disrupt the relay in India, they would once again reveal their true nature of separatism and disruption.

Jiang noted that China and India have maintained a good momentum to the development of bilateral relations, and have conducted close exchanges and contacts.

New Delhi will be the 11th leg of the relay, scheduled for April 17, following Islamabad in Pakistan.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2008)