China says it endorses India's claim to a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.
Chinese State Councilor and former Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan made the comment at a news conference in New Delhi after talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh.
Mr. Tang said Beijing fully understands India's interest in playing a bigger role in the international community, including in the U.N. Security Council.
Earlier in the day (Wednesday), Mr. Tang met with India's National Security advisor J.N. Dixit. The two agreed that their countries have entered a new phase of growth in their relationship and that the positive trend should continue.
Both sides also agreed to seek solutions to all outstanding issues, including a four-decade-old border dispute. India and China fought a brief but bitter war along their Himalayan border in 1962.