At the invitation of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of India, H.E. George Fernandes, my colleagues and I feel so glad to have come to the friendly neighbor of India for an official good-will visit.

China and India are ancient civilizations with long histories, and the two peoples have since ancient history had close contacts between each other. 50 years ago, the two countries jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which won universal and extensive recognition from the international community and became important principles handling state-to-state relations. At the turn of the century, the state leaders of the two countries have made positive efforts to advance the long-term stable and sound development of the bilateral relations by proceeding from the overall interests and bearing a long-term perspective. To develop long-term, stable and sound state-to-state relations between China and India conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conduces to the peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large. The Chinese side stands ready to join efforts with the Indian side to implement the consensus and maintain the good momentum of the development of the bilateral relations so as to incessantly inject new vitality to the development of the good-neighborly friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. My visit is the reciprocal visit to the successful visit to China by the minister of defense, H.E. George Fernandes, with an aim to enhancing mutual understanding and mutual trust, developing friendship and cooperation. I am convinced that with the joint efforts on both sides, our visit will surely reach its expected purpose.

I would like to take this opportunity, through the friends from the press, to convey the cordial greetings and best regards from the Chinese people and military to the Indian people and military. May the Republic of India prosperity, her people happiness and peace. And wish you made even greater achievements in the development of your country and military.