BEIJING, Nov. 2  -- China voiced its hope that UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's Myanmar trip would achieve positive progress.

       "The Chinese government supports Gambari's mediation efforts, and hopes his upcoming trip will achieve progress," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular press briefing on Thursday.

       China called on relevant parties of Myanmar to maintain restraint and settle existing problems through dialogue and consultation in a bid to realize national reconciliation, Liu said.

       Gambari is set to visit Myanmar from Nov. 3 to Nov. 8 at the invitation of the government