Beijing on Tuesday expressed hope that a framework of principles to address the protracted border dispute could be firmed up by the two sides during the upcoming meeting of the special political representatives of India and China.

"We think this is an important meeting," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said of the October 23 meeting in New Delhi between Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra.

The decision to appoint the special representatives was taken during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's landmark visit to China in June.

Sources said Dai and Mishra, who know each other, would hold in-depth talks on the boundary issue while taking into account the overall interests of Sino-Indian relations.

While an early breakthrough was not on the cards, analysts in Beijing feel that the decision by the political leaders to deal with the sensitive issue at the highest level was itself a welcome step.