China Tuesday expressed hope that India and Pakistan could resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally through dialogue and negotiations.

"China has consistent stance on the Kashmir issue," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular news briefing.

"The Kashmir issue is an issue between India and Pakistan left over by history. We hope the two sides could properly resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiations," Qin said.

Qin's remarks came after media reports quoted Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a major political group in India-controlled Kashmir, that China has a stake in the region's peace.