China and India are planning to resume direct flights by the end of this month, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed on Thursday.

The move is a positive step that facilitates friendly exchanges between the more than 2.8 billion people of the two countries, Guo said at a regular news conference.

China hopes to work with India to ensure both sides will continue to view and handle bilateral relations strategically and with an eye toward the future, Guo said.

China also hopes that the two countries will be "friends of good neighborliness and partners which contribute to each other's success", Guo said.