Summit may herald 'Century of Asia'

President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to exchange views on issues of strategic, long-term and overall importance at their informal meeting in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Friday and Saturday. The meeting will be a new landmark in China-India relations, infusing fresh vigor into bilateral ties and ushering in a new phase of cooperation.

With the world undergoing profound changes, the meeting between the leaders of two ancient civilizations shows they sincerely care for the future of humankind. Globalization and multilateralism, as well as win-win cooperation and shared growth, face severe challenges thanks to US President Donald Trump's protectionist trade moves. As two of the biggest emerging market economies, China and India encounter hurdles not only on the path to their respective development, but also for the rejuvenation of Asia, a common goal of the two sides.

"The Century of Asia will not come without the development of China and India," former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping told Rajiv Gandhi, then Indian prime minister, 30 years ago. And 15 years ago, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was Indian prime minister at that ime, emphasized: "The 21st century will become the Century of Asia if China and India can build a stable and lasting relationship."