China to continue working with Saarc for mutual benefit: Official

China attaches great importance to Saarc and will continue its practical cooperation with the regional bloc "in the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation", a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Asked about China's response to comments by some Nepali officials that China should become a full member of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation from its current observer status, spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a regular press conference: "As the observer state of Saarc, China attaches great importance to developing friendly cooperative relations with Saarc."

Mentioning that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin would be leading the Chinese delegation to the 18th Saarc Summit Nepal's capital Kathmandu Nov 26-27, Hua stated: "The Chinese side wishes the summit a success and SAARC constant new growth, so as to make greater contributions to peace, stability and development of South Asia."

Stating that China valued the status and role of Saarc since it attained observer status in 2005, the spokesperson pointed out that "the Chinese side has sent four times high-level delegation to the Saarc summit".

"Cooperation between China and Saarc in all fields is on an increase," Hua said.

"Going forward, the Chinese side will continue to carry out friendly exchanges and practical cooperation with Saarc in the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and play a constructive role in promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity."