Beijing, Nov 28 (IANS): China said Friday it is willing to work with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) to further enhance ties.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the comments at a daily press briefing in response to a question on the 18th SAARC summit, which concluded in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday.

China attached great importance to relations with Saarc and cooperation with countries in the South Asian region, Xinhua cited Hua as saying.

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, who headed the Chinese delegation at the summit, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and talked of measures to further deepen cooperation with Saarc, Hua said.

China also named an envoy to Saarc recently, she said.

"We are ready to enhance relations with Saarc and contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the South Asian region on the basis of respecting Saarc nations' wills," Hua said.

Established in 1985 in Bangladesh, Saarc groups Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.