ANKARA

China on Thursday said it was “willing” to play a role for peace and stability in South Asia in the wake of tensions between longtime rivals, India and Pakistan, state media reported.

"China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability,” Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang told reporters in Beijing.

"We would like to stress that India and Pakistan are neighbors that cannot be moved. We hope both sides will remain calm and restrained to avoid further complicating the situation," he said.

When asked whether it was true that India had obtained the Chinese PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile during latest India-Pakistan hostilities, Zhang said: "The missile in question is an exported piece of equipment that has been displayed at multiple domestic and international defense exhibitions."

In a separate statement Zhang addressed concerns by the US Indo-Pacific Command head that the Chinese side was conducting comprehensive exercises in preparation for potential actions related to Taiwan by stating: "there is no factor more destabilizing than the provocations made by the 'Taiwan independence' separatists and the disruptions by foreign forces."

"It's legitimate, necessary, lawful and justified for the Chinese side to take actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he maintained.

Zhang also urged Washington to stop "fanning the flames" on the Taiwan issue.

Beijing has consistently urged Washington to cease actions that it perceives as encouraging Taiwan's independence movement, including military support and official exchanges.

"Such behaviors would only backfire," Zhang added.

China considers Taiwan as its breakaway province, whereas Taipei insists on its independence.

*Writing by Aamir Latif