Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, will kick off his official three-day visit to China on January 13. The People's Daily resident reporter in India recently interviewed Chinese Ambassador to India, Zhangyan, and invited his comments on this visit and the development of China-India relations.
Reporter: What are your expectations for Prime Minister Singh's upcoming visit to China?
Zhang: Prime Minister Singh will be the first foreign Head of State to visit China following the year 2008. China and India are neighboring giants in Asia: both are developing countries and densely populated. China-India ties are not only vital to the region, but of global significance. In recent years, the China-India Strategic Partnership has stepped into a new phase; achieved wide-range cooperation; and will enjoy a bright future in ceaseless efforts from both sides. I believe that the official visit by Prime Minister Singh will breathe new life into bilateral relations, and push forward China-India strategic cooperation which will be long-term and set on an even keel.
Reporter: Is there any evidence to show China-India relations have been enhanced over the years?
Zhang: There is a lot. You can easily find it in the form of frequent, close contact between high-ranking officials on both sides. In 2005, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made an official visit to India, and both sides vowed to build up the China-India Strategic Partnership, gearing for peace and prosperity. During President Hu Jintao's visit to India in 2006, a very important document was signed: the Joint declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation. The document contains the goals and guidelines that should govern the bilateral relationship; provides a blueprint for friendship and cooperation; and is a landmark in the history of contemporary China-India relations. In October 2007, Sonia Gandhi, India Congress President and Chairperson of the UPA, visited China immediately following the close of China's Seventeenth National Congress of the CPC. The year 2007 also witnessed frequent meetings of high-profile officials from both sides on formal international occasions. In 2007, special envoys from both sides met to exchange views on the border issue; further discuss the framework to settle the border dispute; and defuse tensions. In the previous years, this was out of reach. The steps taken now by both sides indicate that the trust between China and India has greatly improved; and friendly ties have advanced.
Reporter: How do you explain the situation that the China-India economic and trade exchanges will 'elevate links'?
Zhang: Firstly, I agree that China and India have been striving for rapid development in bilateral economic and trade ties which are conducive to their relationship as a whole. Secondly, as is reported, the recent years have witnessed an evident rise in bilateral economic and trade exchanges. To name a few, bilateral trade has sustained an average of 32 percent growth year-on-year since 1996, with a volume breaking the US$20 billion mark in 2006, and exceeding US$34.2 billion by the end of 2007. In the coming years, the two countries are bound to do more to forge ahead with their economic and trade collaboration, and give a boost to the existing friendly relationship.
Reporter: Last month, the two countries launched a first-ever joint anti-terrorism military training. What new changes could be brought about by this military drill?
Zhang: Higher-level military exchanges symbolize friendly ties. In the recent years, respective army chiefs and generals have engaged in more frequent exchanges and communication. Both sides have hammered out the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding for Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of Defense. In 2007, a China-India naval search and rescue joint exercise occurred: the first-ever cooperation in a non-traditional security field between the two sides. The joint anti-terrorism military training that just finished in Kunming, in southwest China, indicates that mutual understanding and trust have been enhanced. It is of far reaching significance for stronger bilateral relations.
Reporter: What do you mean by the global significance of the China-India relationship?
Zhang: China and India are two regional powers; yet both are developing countries feeding over 40 percent of the global population. Both countries are confined to similar natural conditions; therefore, they face the challenge of improving their people's sustenance. The two countries are pursuing a relationship which is long-term, mutually beneficial and set on an even keel. Harmonious China-India relations do not only guarantee win-win progress between the two countries, but also benefit the region, and bring a momentum of lasting peace and common prosperity to the world.
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