China on Monday said it will work with India to speed up negotiations on the boundary issue prior to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s state visit

China on Monday said it will work with India to speed up negotiations on the boundary issue prior to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s state visit

Mukherjee begins his visit on Tuesday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping

In an interview with Chinese media, Mukherjee said he is willing to find a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution to the issue

Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Monday that China and India are committed to solving the disputes through negotiations

Both countries have engaged in negotiations, managed their disputes and preserved peace in the area under dispute for three decades, said Hua at a daily press briefing

The two countries have a number of boundary-related mechanisms including special representatives to deal with the issue

"China is willing to continue working with India to accelerate negotiations and resolve the issue at an early date," said Hua

The 19th Special Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question was held in Beijing on April 20 led by Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China’s special representative, and Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval

During Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar’s first visit to China in April, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said China is optimistic over establishing a hotline between the Chinese and Indian military headquarters, and hopes to enhance border exchanges and make joint efforts to maintain peace and stability