The Hindu : National : CPI(M) lauds Manmohan’s China visit

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CPI(M) lauds Manmohan’s China visit

Special Correspondent

Positive contribution towards carrying forward improvement of relations

Rapid trade growth shows potential of economic cooperation
“There has been a new found sharing of concerns”

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday described Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent three-day visit to China as “highly successful” that has positively contributed towards carrying forward the improvement of relations between the two Asian giants.

In addition to a number of bilateral agreements signed in various sectors, there was a determined expression to intensify high level political exchanges between the two countries in the future, an editorial in the latest issue of party organ People’s Democracy said.

Hailing the main document “A shared vision for the 21st Century”, the editorial noted that the document stated that both sides will work for “a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution” to the border dispute. “What is important to understand is that while continuing the dialogue on the border dispute both the countries appear to have converged on the understanding that cooperation in other fields must proceed and be strengthened. It needs to be recollected that it took China more than seven decades to resolve its border dispute with the former USSR and today’s Russia,” it said.

On the new target of $60 billion by 2010 for bilateral trade, the editorial said the fact that trade between the two countries has grown so rapidly despite many restrictions, given security considerations, in itself shows the tremendous potential of economic cooperation between India and China.

“There is now bound to be a serious rethink in India on the question of visa restrictions and the blacklisting of certain Chinese companies even after they have qualified global tenders as it happened in the offshore seaport in Kerala. In this contest, it is instructive to note the economic relations between China and Taiwan. People’s Republic of China having succeeded in reintegrating Hong Kong and Macau with the mainland is seeking to do so similarly with Taiwan, which it considers as an integral part of China. In spite of this position and its consequent irritants in political, diplomatic and military spheres, Taiwan remains an important economic partner, both in terms of trade and investment, with China,” it said.

The editorial said that perhaps the most important aspect of Prime Minister’s visit has been the enlargement of the canvas on which improvement of relations is being sought.

“There has been a new found sharing of concerns at the development in Pakistan and the readiness to work together to meet the consequent threats of terror. The most important, however, appears to be the recognition that stronger economic relationship between India and China could well move the centre of economic gravity of the world towards Asia. This recognition in itself will go a long way in the movement towards multi-polarity,” the editorial said.

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