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"India-China ties will make new progress in 2007"

Li Zhaoxing

Beijing: China-India strategic ties registered ``important progress'' in 2006 and the two Asian giants will make ``new progress'' and dance together in 2007 to a ``harmonious'' tune, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said on Sunday.

``In 2006, China-India relations have continued to grow in all fields, with important progress made in various areas of cooperation,'' Mr. Li said here as the curtains fell on the joint celebrations of 2006 as the `Year of India-China Friendship.'

``The Friendship Year celebrations have, as expected, increased mutual understanding, promoted exchanges and deepened friendship. It will be a new starting point for building enduring friendship between our two peoples.''

Mr. Li said, ``Both China and India are major developing countries and important countries in Asia. Relations between the two have gone well beyond the bilateral context and acquired global dimension in importance.

``We are prepared to work with India to fully implement the important agreement reached by our leaders and strengthen the strategic and cooperative partnership.''

Mr. Li noted that in late November, Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a successful visit to India, during which leaders of the two countries had reached important agreement on the future growth of strategic and cooperative partnership.

``It demonstrated to the world the political resolve of both countries to maintain long-term friendship, enhance cooperation and achieve common development,'' Mr. Li said.

The two countries also issued a joint declaration, which set forth a 10-pronged strategy to reinforce the strategic and cooperative partnership. The agreement on Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection and the other 12 agreements of cooperation were signed, he noted.

``The visit turned a new page and marked an important milestone in China-India relations,'' Mr. Li said on Mr. Hu's visit to India. — PTI

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