China 'strongly' urges India, Pakistan to avoid escalation

China on Saturday urged India and Pakistan to avoid an escalation in fighting, Beijing's foreign ministry said, as the conflict between its two nuclear-armed neighbours spiralled toward full-blown war.

"We strongly call on both India and Pakistan to give priority to peace and stability, remain calm and restrained, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means and avoid taking actions that further escalate tensions," a statement by a foreign ministry spokesperson said.