Foreign and Military Affairs
Hu meets with Singh, stresses border issue, cooperation
By Wu Jiao (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-04-16 02:24
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An early solution of the border issue between China and India fits in the primary interests of the two countries and their people, said Chinese President Hu Jintao.
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 Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a bilateral meeting Thursday in Brasilia, Brazil, April 15, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Hu made the remarks while meeting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a bilateral meeting Thursday as the two both came to Brasilia to attend the second BRIC summit.
"I hope the two sides will continue to push forward negotiation (on the issue) on the basis of mutual respect and equal discussion," Hu said.
Hu said that the two sides should work together to maintain regional peace and stability before the settlement of the border issue, a proposal that Singh said he completely agrees with.
India is willing to maintain peace and stability of the border area before the problem is settled, and will not allow this problem to impair the develoment of bilateral relations, Singh was quoted by a Chinese foreign ministry press release on the meeting.
As the two giant Asian powers have often been described as competing with each other on many sectors, Hu said that "China and India are not competitors, but parters who can cooperate with each other".
"Mr Prime Minister has stressed from time to time that the world has enough space to accomdate the development of both India and China, which I completely agree," Hu said.
"The common interests between China and India greatly exceed their disputes, and the two should always adhere to mutual benefit and mutual development," Hu said.
Hu said that the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries is the basis of the bilateral cooperation, and there is huge potential in it.
"China encourages those Chinese enterprises who have developed into certain scales to invest and set up factories in India, which will be conducive to increase employment, and solve the problem of trade imbalance," Hu said.
Hu also called on the two countries to understand and take care of the core intersts of each other, and deal prudently on the other's concern and dispute.
Singh said that the Indian government is devoted to pushing forward the comprehensive strategic parternership, and feel happy on the development made.
"Only if India and China speak in one voice, the world will listen to us," said Singh.
Singh also said that he is happy to see strengthened defense exchanges between the two countries.
