Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Monday "briefed" his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on the latest developments in South Asia, including the Kashmir issue.

"He particularly referred to Pakistan's efforts to maintain peace in the region," Pakistan television reported on the first meeting between the two leaders in Beijing.

Wen, the newly elected premier, said China welcomed the easing of tensions in South Asia.

Jamali is the first foreign leader to visit China since the new Chinese government under President Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao took over last week.

"China calls for the return to the correct path of political solution within the framework of the United Nations so as to reduce the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the Iraqi people and safeguard the sovereignty and territory integrity of Iraq," Wen was quoted as saying.