Q: How do you view India-China relations in 2006 and what are the prospects for 2007?

A: In 2006, China-India relations have continued to grow in all fields, with important progress made in various areas of cooperation.

In late November, Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a successful state visit to India, during which leaders of the two countries reached important agreement on the future growth of China-India strategic and cooperative partnership. It demonstrated to the world the political resolve of both countries to maintain long-term friendship, enhance cooperation and achieve common development. The Joint Declaration was issued, which set forth a ten-point strategy for reinforcing China-India strategic and cooperative partnership. The Agreement on Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection and the other 12 agreements of cooperation were signed. The visit turned a new page and marked an important milestone in China-India relations.

This year was designated China-India Friendship Year. Various commemorative activities were jointly held by the two countries, which deepened mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two peoples and lifted the bilateral ties to a new level.

China-India trade has maintained strong growth. China is now India's second largest trade partner, and India is China's largest trade partner in South Asia and one of its most important overseas markets for project contracts. Both countries are expected to reach ahead of time the goal of US$20 billion in two-way trade for 2008 set by our leaders. The two governments have set a new target of boosting bilateral trade to US$40 billion by 2010 and agreed to complete the feasibility study on China-India regional trade arrangement by October 2007.

The friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in energy, science, technology, culture and education have been expanded. Agreements on cooperation in the areas of petroleum, natural gas, science, technology, agriculture and defence were signed. The ministerial-level Steering Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation was established. Direct flight between Beijing and New Delhi was launched. And 100-member youth delegations of the two countries exchanged visits.

Both China and India are major developing countries and important countries in Asia. China-India relations have gone well beyond the bilateral context and acquired global dimension in importance. We are prepared to work with India to fully implement the important agreement reached by our leaders and strengthen the China-India strategic and cooperative partnership. In the new year, China-India relations will surely make new progress and our two countries, often referred to as dragon and elephant, will dance to a harmonious tune. 

 

Q: The India-China Friendship Year is coming to an end. What were the most significant activities hosted by the Chinese side? Has it contributed to the furthering of mutual trust and cooperation? Are you satisfied with the outcome of the celebrations?

A: The year 2006 was designated by the two countries as the "China-India Friendship Year". President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao respectively exchanged messages of congratulations with President Kalam and Prime Minister Singh on January 1, inaugurating activities for the Friendship Year. In the year, the two sides have held dozens of activities in various forms. Major activities hosted by the Chinese side include the following:

In the political field, President Hu Jintao's successful state visit to India achieved the goal of deepening friendship, increasing mutual trust, expanding cooperation and charting the course for the future. During the visit, the two heads of state attended the Friendship Year celebration performance, which marks the culmination of the celebration activities. Mutual visits by ministers of the two countries promoted exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

In the economic and trade field, the two sides held the first Financial Dialogue and the Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Summit and CEO Forum, reopened border trade at the Nathu La Pass, and signed the Agreement on Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection, injecting new vitality into bilateral economic ties.

In the cultural field, China held the "Shaanxi Culture Week", "Tracing Hiuen Tsang's Steps" and other activities in India, and published the English edition of My Life with Kotnis, a symbol of China-India friendship, written by Ms. Guo Qinglan, wife of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis. Youth delegations of the two countries exchanged visits. Renovation of the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall at Nalanda will soon be completed. Friendly exchanges were also carried out in science, technology, agriculture, defense and other fields.

The Friendship Year celebrations have, as expected, increased mutual understanding, promoted exchanges and deepened friendship. The Friendship Year will be a new starting point for building enduring friendship between our two peoples.

The year 2007 is designated by both as the China-India Year of Friendship Through Tourism, and a series of activities will be carried out. I am confident that with concerted effort of both countries, China-India friendship, with a history of more than 2,000 years, will continue to thrive, and "Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai", the goodwill jointly cultivated by our two countries and peoples, will grow from strength to strength. I wish to take this opportunity to convey through PTI the best wishes of the Chinese people to the Indian people. I wish you all a very happy New Year!