BEIJING - China is glad to see the opening of cross-border trade between India and Pakistan, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said here Tuesday.

At a routine press conference, Qin said China is both a neighbor and a friend to Pakistan and India.

He expressed the hope that the two countries could continue to work on their relationship through friendly consultations and cooperation.

"This is not only in the basic interest of the people of Pakistan and India, but also conducive to maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the South Asia region," Qin said.

Pakistan and India on Tuesday opened trade across the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir, a step aimed at easing recent strains between the two countries.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a meeting in New York on the sideline of the UN assembly and decided to open trans-Kashmir trade last month.