China ready to strengthen exchanges with India

China is ready to work with India to strengthen communication, enhance mutual understanding, resolve differences and overcome obstacles, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday, calling on the two countries to be good-neighborly friends and partners that help each other succeed.

Wang, who is also director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks when co-chairing the 25th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives on the Boundary Question with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Beijing. 

Wang said that institutional exchanges and cooperation between the two countries are gradually resuming, with both sides committed to maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas. 

The two sides should place the boundary question in an appropriate position within the bilateral relationship, and continue moving forward without stalling, backsliding or deviating from the right course, he said. 

Wang called on Beijing and New Delhi to gradually foster a positive narrative on China-India boundary affairs, and make dialogue, peace, consultation and cooperation the mainstream, so as to inject positive momentum into the sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

The two sides held in-depth discussions on advancing boundary negotiations, strengthening border management, improving relevant mechanisms and promoting cross-border cooperation, according to a news release issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

When meeting with Doval on the same day, Vice-President Han Zheng called on China and India to view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and work together to implement the important consensus reached by their leaders.

The two sides should enhance strategic mutual trust, tap the potential for cooperation, maintain close multilateral coordination, properly manage differences and promote the sustained and stable development of China-India relations, he said.

As the world's two most populous and fastest-growing major economies, India and China have a historic opportunity for cooperation, Doval said, adding that India stands ready to work with China to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, properly address the boundary question and make new progress in bilateral ties.