BEIJING - A Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday said China hopes India and Pakistan will hold talks regarding the recent violence in Kashmir and solve their differences in a calm and proper manner.

Spokesman Hong Lei made the remark at a daily press briefing when commenting on the recent row between the two countries.

As a neighbor and friend of both countries, China hopes India and Pakistan will work together to maintain peace and stability in south Asia, Hong said.

The Pakistani military has stated that Indian troops crossed a Line of Control (LoC) that divides both countries in the disputed Kashmir region on Sunday morning, killing one Pakistani soldier and injuring another after opening fire.

The Indian military has denied the accusation, stating that mortar shells were first fired by the Pakistani army in the direction of Indian civilians near the LoC.

Pakistan and India declared a ceasefire along the LoC in November 2003, although border forces have occasionally exchanged shots since then.