China has expressed keenness to associate with the SAARC, Pakistan's Prime  Minister-designate Shujaat Hussain said in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Hussain, who made the mention while addressing the  SAARC Ministerial Conference, said Beijing's desire to associate with the seven-member South Asian regional grouping was a welcome development.

Pakistan has been favouring China's inclusion in SAARC but the regional grouping's charter specifies that any new member can be included when there is consensus among all member-countries.