Kerala - Kochi   

China plans to set up cultural centre in State

KOCHI: China proposes to set up a sub-office of the Indo-China Economic and Cultural Council in Kerala, Chinese Ambassador to India, Zhang Yan, has said.

Delivering the keynote address at a reception organised by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Tuesday, Mr. Zhang said this was one of the main objectives of his visit to the State.

“To exchange views with the State authorities and to have an idea about the development of the State are the other two objectives,” the envoy said.

The visit helped to establish a link for exploring possibilities for cooperation with the State.

He felt that Kochi being a city with a port, was strategically located (for economic and trading cooperation). Mr. Zhang said the offer made by the chairman of the KCCI to open a China gallery in the upcoming Kerala Trade Centre in Kochi to showcase products from that country was a “good idea.”

He was impressed by what he saw in Kochi.

“I get the impression that it is a busy and active city. The buildings along the street were also very impressive”.

The Chinese fishing nets that dotted the city’s coast were “very strong testimony of the historical linkage China has with this part of India.”

He said bilateral trade between India and China had touched $38 billion during the last year, registering an increase of 50 per cent. During the first half of the current year it reached $29 billion marking an increase of almost 70 per cent.

He said that the political relationship between the two countries was “very strong and was growing stronger laying a good basis for political and economic cooperation.” About 150 Indian companies had opened offices in China, whereas about 60-odd Chinese companies had presence in India, he said.

“Due to the blessing and commitment of the leaders of both the countries we have been able to establish strategic relationship covering all areas,” Mr. Zhang said.

While Chinese products were being exported to India, China was also importing more and more Indian products, including iron ore, agricultural products and textiles, he said.

He pointed out that both India and China had lot to complement each other. “India has cutting edge in Information Technology and biotechnology while China has immense manufacturing capabilities.” The large foreign exchange reserve possessed by both countries would enable them to make mutual investments, he said.

Peng Gang, commercial Counsellor to the Ambassador, delivered a talk on India-China economic relations.

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