BEIJING - China hopes India's general election proceeds smoothly, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily press briefing on Tuesday.

India's parliamentary elections began on Monday. The ruling Congress party and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a nationalist party, have led pre-election surveys.

The election is seen as an opportunity for India to start a new beginning in its development after a decade-long rule by the Congress party and its allies.

Hong said China has always attached great importance to ties with India and hopes that the two sides will be committed to the development of their strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity.

He called on the two sides to boost the development of bilateral relations, benefit their people, and achieve common development.

When asked to comment on India-China border disputes, Hong said China's stance on the issue was very clear and did not need further explanation.