Krishna's visit will cement ties: China

As India and China marked the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties, Beijing on Thursday said the two sides have put "great emphasis" on developing a comprehensive strategic partnership and hoped to cement it further during External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's visit next week.

The two countries made "remarkable progress" in the past six decades, providing a "sound momentum" to the bilateral ties, Chinese Foreign Office spokesperson Qin Gang told a media briefing.

"China and India are important friendly neighbours and both of them are rising developing countries," he said, adding their neighbourliness, beneficial cooperation and common development not only serve the interest of the two countries but also help in tackling major global issues and contribute to the world peace stability and development. Qin made the remarks when asked how China viewed the 60 years of establishment of diplomatic relations with India and what importance it attached to the upcoming visit of Krishna.

Krishna will arrive on April 5 on a four-day visit during which he will also launch celebrations to mark the 60th year of diplomatic relations.

Both sides "put great emphasis on developing a comprehensive strategic partnership. China and India have thousands of years of friendship. We hope the two countries could carry forward this long-lasting friendship," Qin said.

"Over the past years the bilateral relations have maintained a sound momentum and rapid and comprehensive development," he said, adding the two countries have "established strategic partnership of cooperation" to face issues in the 21st century by deepening cooperation in various fields.

"As per the border issue between the two countries, we have also reached a political parameter," he said.

"We are hoping and willing to join hands with India to further enhance strategic mutual trust to boost the mutual beneficial cooperation and have closer communication and coordination in international affairs so as to press ahead with our bilateral relations," Qin said.

With this in mind, China attaches great importance to the upcoming visit of Krishna, during which he will meet Premier Wen Jiabao Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

"We believe that two countries could take this opportunity to strengthen communication and dialogue and promote cooperation," he said.