China and India Tuesday agreed in Beijing that joint efforts
should be made to work for an early solution to the border
issue.
In his meeting with visiting Foreign Secretary of India Shyam
Saran, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said that it is in the
fundamental interests of both countries to solve the border issue
at an early date, adding that China and India should go a step
further to explore the framework for the solution to the border
issue.
Echoing Tang's views, Saran said that India is also willing to
explore ways for an early solution to the border issue from the
perspective of strategic cooperation.
Tang said that China and India are big developing countries
which are facing a similar mission of developing their economy and
improving people's living standards.
Noting that the two countries have many in common, Tang said
that China attaches great importance to building a friendly
neighborhood with India.
"The announcement of building a strategic and cooperative
partnership by both governments last year indicates Sino-Indian
relations have entered a new phase of development," Tang said.
Noting that the year 2006 is a Sino-Indian year of friendship,
Tang expressed the hope that both countries should make concerted
efforts to push bilateral relations to a new high.
Saran agreed with Tang's remarks, saying that the development
and prosperity of the two largest developing countries have made
positive contributions to world peace and development.
Heading a delegation to attend the second Sino-Indian Strategic
Dialogue from January 9 to 12, Saran on Monday met with Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxing, and Vice Foreign Minister and Chinese special
representative for Sino-Indian border issue Dai Bingguo, and held
talks with Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei on Monday and
Tuesday.
Saran and Wu exchanged views on international and regional
issues of common concern and bilateral ties. They have reached a
broad consensus.
(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2006)
