Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said on Tuesday that China hoped joint efforts could be made to clear trade and investment barriers between China and India.

Jiang Yu made the remarks in a regular press conference when asked to comment on economic cooperation between the two countries.

Jiang stressed the two countries should work together to continuously enhance the level of economic and trade cooperation, to provide convenience and create a favourable investment and business environment in India for Chinese enterprises for the benefit of both sides.

China-India economic and trade was conducted on an equal footing and China hoped the momentum of development could be maintained, said Jiang.

China hopes relevant departments from the two sides could take a strategic view of the overall long-term friendship and jointly contribute to bilateral cooperation, Jiang added.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is on a state visit to India, the first by a Chinese president in 10 years.

China-India trade volume is growing by 20 to 30 percent annually. It reached 18.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2005,up by 37.5 percent over 2004.

Source: Xinhua