Pakistan's military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, has ended a visit to Beijing after Chinese leaders made it clear that relations would not be changed by the military coup.

It was the general's first visit to a country outside the Islamic world since seizing power last October.

As the visit ended, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman called on India and Pakistan to halt their arms race and settle their differences over Kashmir through dialogue.

China also extended the repayment term for a number of loans.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin told General Musharraf that relations between China and Pakistan had "withstood the test of time".

"In the new century China will continue to consolidate and develop relations with the Pakistani people and government," he said.

Unlike western powers, China made no move to push for a return to democracy in Pakistan.

"The internal affairs of Pakistan are its internal issue and China will never interfere," Premier Zhu Rongji said.

"We respect the choice of the Pakistani people," he said.

The general also met the Chinese number two, Li Peng.

General Musharraf told Mr Li he was extremely grateful for China's continuing support.

"We are touched by the warmth demonstrated by your acceptance of this first visit of the millennium," he said.

He told the Chinese media the hearts of the two nations' peoples beat in unison.

Technology

Reports on Monday said Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji had promised General Musharraf his government would nurture its "comprehensive partnership" with Pakistan no matter what changes took place internationally or domestically.

"This is a basic policy that we will not change," he was quoted as saying, adding that he was "fully confident" Sino-Pakistan relations would get "better and better".

The two sides signed an agreement to co-operate on technology.

The Pakistani leader was accompanied by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz and Commerce and Industry Minister Abdul Razzaq Daud.

Troublespots

Correspondents say the present visit, and those General Musharraf paid to several Islamic countries, are part of his efforts to gain international acceptance of his government and offset Western-led criticism of the coup.

It comes at a time when China's gradually improving relations with the Indian Government are somewhat strained following the arrival in India of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Karmapa Lama.

But there were signs before the visit that Pakistan's close ties with China might be under pressure.

Beijing is worried about the effect Islamabad's support for militant groups operating in Indian-administered Kashmir could have on separatists in its own predominantly Muslim region of Xinjiang.

China is also concerned over the nuclear tests carried out by both India and Pakistan in 1998, and says both Delhi and Islamabad could do more to lower tension in South Asia.

China is one of the major suppliers of defence equipment to Pakistan, although it has consistently denied helping Pakistan to develop nuclear weapons.