China calls on Pakistan to resolve problems through talks

BEIJING - China has urged Pakistan to resolve problems through talks after protests in the country escalated Saturday, leading to demands for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign.

Clashes erupted between police and protesters late Saturday when the group tried to storm the Prime Minister's House and Parliament, with at least 450 people injured.

"China is highly concerned about the situation in Pakistan," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular news briefing on Monday.

"As a friendly neighbor, we sincerely hope all parties in Pakistan can proceed from the fundamental interests of the country and people, and resolve the problems through talks to maintain national stability," he said.

Pakistan's political party Tehrik-e-Insaf's chief Imran Khan and religious party Pakistan Awami Tehreek's chief Tahir ul Qadri have been demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif since they began anti-government protests on Aug 14.

Sharif rejected the demand but offered to talk with the two opposition leaders to politically resolve the political impasse.

Khan, whose party has 34 seats in the lower house, alleges Sharif rigged the 2013 general elections.