The Hindu : China optimistic on ties with India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

International

International - India & World

China optimistic on ties with India

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, MARCH 14. The Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, today expressed "confidence" about the possibility of settling the boundary dispute with India on the basis of the principle of "peaceful coexistence.'' He envisioned the possibility of friendship and partnership between the two countries.

Addressing a televised press conference at the conclusion of a historic session of the National People's Congress in Beijing, Mr. Wen noted that the Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary question had already met twice since the "friendly ... and very important visit'' of the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to China in June last year.

Mr. Wen said: "I am confident that as long as we [India and China] adhere to the principle of peaceful coexistence, respect each other and seek mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, we will surely be able to resolve the issues left over from history.''

In an upbeat assessment of bilateral ties, Mr. Wen said that China and India, "as the two biggest countries in Asia, can always be friends and partners for cooperation.'' Prefacing this answer to a specific question, he recounted a remark he had made to the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, during his journey to Beijing to prepare the ground for Mr. Vajpayee's visit last year.

Mr. Wen said that he had since learnt that his comment had "spread to many households and people in India.''

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