'We share important responsibilities'
China and India are friendly neighbors and ancient civilizations.
The Silk Road leaves the footprints of friendly exchanges and learning from each other between the two nations; the journey of Huen Tsang to India paved the way for the communications of soul and exchanges of emotion between the two great civilizations.
On April 1, 1950, the two countries formally established diplomatic relations, opening a new page in the history of bilateral ties.
The two nations cultivated the Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai brotherhood and jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.
Over the past 56 years, with the joint efforts of both sides China-India relations have grown increasingly mature. Today, both China and India are glowing with vigor and energy.
The bilateral relations face with important opportunities for development. With similar national conditions, the two nations have respective advantages and share extensive interest and huge cooperation potential. It is of great importance to the peace, stability and development of Asia and the world at large that China and India join hands to seek common development and benefit a population accounting for two fifths of the world total.
The official visit to India by the Chinese Prime Minister Mr Wen Jiabao last April was a complete success. The visit has further strengthened our mutual trust, deepened the communication and cooperation in various fields.
The two countries have established a China-India Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, marking a new development stage of bilateral relations.
A major outcome of the visit was the Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China boundary question. The agreement provides for a political settlement of the boundary question in the context of the overall and long term interests of the two countries.
The two countries agreed to make joint efforts to increase the bilateral trade volume to US$ 20 billion or higher by 2008. In 2005,the bilateral trade volume has reached 18.7billion US Dollars. I am very confident that we can achieve our goal ahead of time.
Designating the year 2006 as the China-India Friendship Year reflects the aspiration of the two governments and their people to strengthen friendship and expand cooperation. The two nations will hold a series of activities to carry on the traditional friendship and broaden the mutually beneficial cooperation.
This year, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao exchanged congratulatory telegrams with President Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh respectively on the New Year's Day, drawing the prelude of the China-India Friendship Year.
As its close neighbour, China hopes to see a developed, prosperous and strong India.
We share your delight in your achievements in various fields, we appreciate your efforts in safeguarding the rights and interests of developing countries, and we are happy to see you are playing a greater and more active role in international and regional affairs.
China and India pose no threat to each other. Instead, we share important responsibilities for peace and security in Asia as well as in the world.
As a responsible member of the international community, China is willing to work with other countries including India in security and other international affairs with a view to ushering in a world of lasting peace and universal security.
Image: Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh shake hands before signing a joint declaration in New Delhi, April 11, 2005.
Photograph: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images
Also See: 'Manmohan is India's Deng Xiaoping'
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