Senior leader calls for boosting Sino-Indian ties

BEIJING - A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Wednesday called for boosting the China-India strategic and cooperative partnership to a higher level.

Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remark during a meeting with visiting Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna. Zhou recalled his visit to India in 2010, saying the visit showcased the growing momentum of China-India relations.

Zhou said China and India, as the world's largest developing economies, have multiple opportunities for national development and bilateral cooperation, expressing his hope that both nations can expand cooperation in infrastructure construction, information technology and manufacturing in order to boost two-way trade to $100 billion by 2015.

Zhou also said he hoped the two sides can deepen political trust, improve personnel exchanges, properly handle questions left over by history, such as the border issue, and jointly safeguard peace and harmony in border areas.

Zhou, who is also secretary of the Committee of Political and Legislative Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, also expressed his appreciation for India's firm support for China on Tibet issues, stating that the issues concern China's national interests and that the Chinese government will crack down on secessionists and safeguard its territorial integrity according to relevant laws.

Echoing Zhou's views on bilateral relations, Krishna hailed the achievements made by both sides in recent years, saying that India and China have forged effective means of coordination in dealing with major regional and international issues.

The Indian government is committed to consolidating and promoting India-China friendly and cooperative relations, Krishna said, reiterating that India recognizes Tibet as a part of China and will not tolerate "anti-China activities" on Indian territory.

Krishna arrived in China on Tuesday, attending an opening ceremony for India's newly-built embassy in China and holding talks with his counterpart Yang Jiechi.

From Chinadaily