BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will attend the 14th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) from April 3 to 4 in New Delhi, capital of India.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the announcement on Tuesday at a regular press conference.

As a friendly neighbor of SAARC, Qin said, China is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation with SAARC based on equality and mutual benefit so as to contribute to development and prosperity of the region.

The SAARC is an important regional organization and China always supports the cooperation between SAARC members, Qin said.

"We welcome the move by the SAARC to absorb China as one of its observers," the spokesman said.

Li Zhaoxing will head a delegation to attend the meeting, according to Qin.

This was the first time for Chinese delegation to attend the SAARC summit after China became an observer state, the spokesman noted.

Founded in 1985, the SAARC includes Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan. China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States and the European Union are observers of the organization.