Kerala - Kochi   

Make 21st century an Asian one, says Chinese Ambassador

KOCHI: Bilateral trade between India and China has touched $38 billion during the last year, registering an increase of 50 per cent, said Zhang Yan Chinese Ambassador to India.

Delivering the keynote address at a reception organised by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday, Mr. Yan said that during the first half of the current year it has already 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. Yan 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. Mr. Yan 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,” he said.

The large foreign exchange reserve possessed by both countries would enable them to make mutual investments, Mr. Yan said.

Regarding India and China as “arriving economic giants,” he said that they could collectively push ahead the world economy.

Emphasising the importance for joining hands, Mr. Yan said that western countries were increasingly depending on India and China for resolving their economic crises.

“We (India and China) have some problems. But we could manage it and push ahead with cooperation in the economic spheres,” he said.

Mr. Yan warned that if they fought each other both the countries would fail.

“If we joined hands we could make Asia stronger and make 21st century the Asian century,” he said.

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