Nov. 12 (Bloomberg) -- China rejected Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee's characterization of a disputed border region as part of India.

``We deeply regret the Indian side's remarks, which take no regard of historical facts,'' Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday at a regular press briefing. The Chinese government does not recognize the illegal border of Arunachal Pradesh, Qin added.

Relations between the two countries are marred by territorial quarrels along parts of the more than 3,500- kilometer (2,175-mile) border they share. India says China has occupied 38,000 square kilometers of territory in Jammu & Kashmir, while China claims 90,000 square kilometers in Arunachal Pradesh that is under Indian control.

Qin was responding to comments by Mukherjee made on Nov. 9 during a visit to the northeastern state.

``The Chinese side is fully aware that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India,'' he said in a speech, according to a statement on the Web site of India's Ministry of External Affairs. ``We will continue to work with our Chinese friends to persuade them to open border trade.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Dune Lawrence in Beijing at dlawrence6@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 11, 2008 20:54 EST