Beijing, March 27. (PTI): China has cautiously welcomed the efforts of India and Japan to develop strategic and defence ties and hoped that their moves will promote regional peace and stability.

"China welcomes India to develop friendly relations with Japan and hopes that this will help promote peace and stability in the region," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told PTI here.

Liu said this when asked to comment on the first Strategic Dialogue between India and Japan last Thursday between External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso in Tokyo.

Commenting on reports that India, Japan and the United States may hold a joint naval exercise in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, Liu said the ministry has seen the reports.

"We have noticed the reports. We hope that cooperation on the national security will help the relevant countries maintain the regional peace and stability," he said.

However, the spokesman declined to comment on a reported move to include India in an alliance between the United States, Japan and Australia.

US Vice President Dick Cheney, who visited Japan and Australia recently had reportedly suggested the inclusion of India in the three-nation security alliance, media reports said.