Zhu Arrives in New Delhi, First Visit by a Chinese Premier in 11 Years

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 14, 2002

Zhu Arrives in New Delhi, First Visit by a Chinese Premier in 11 Years

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji flew in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon on a five-day official visit to India, the first by a Chinese Premier in 11 years. Zhu, who just concluded a two-day official visit to Bangladesh, has come at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

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Indian Minister of State for Defense Harim Pathak and other senior Indian officials were at the airport to welcome Zhu and his entourage.

Zhu confident in enhancing bilateral relations

In a written speech released upon his arrival at the airport, the Chinese Premier said that he expected to exchange views with Indian leaders and personages from all walks of life "in a broad and candid manner" on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern.

He also expressed confidence that his visit would help further enhance friendship and exchanges between the two peoples, promote mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries and "inject new vitality" for a sound development of the Sino-Indian Constructive Partnership in the new century.

Conveying to the Indian people "warm greetings and best wishes from the Chinese people," Zhu pointed to the fact that peoples of both countries had been close neighbors for thousands of years and therefore cherished profound friendly emotions for each other.

Sino-India relations to be further pushed forward

Both China and India are major countries in Asia and they are also the world's most populous developing nations, Zhu noted, adding that it has become the common aspiration of both peoples to learn from each other and jointly seek development.

"A sound, stable and friendly Sino-Indian relationship is not only in the fundamental interest of peoples of both countries, but also conducive to peace and development in Asia and the rest of the world," he asserted.

"We are willing to work with the Indian government and people to continuously push forward Sino-Indian relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence," he stressed.

Zhu Rongji, who is accompanied by his wife Lao An and high-level officials and entrepreneurs, is expected to stay for two days in the Indian capital. He will also visit Mumbai and Bangalore, two major cities in south India.

China and India

Political Relations

The two countries established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1950, and India was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with China among the non-socialist countries.

Economical & Trade Relations

In recent years, the exchanges of trade between China and India have been constantly strengthened with the trade volume registered $1.82 billion in 1997 and $1.92 billion in 1998, 1.987 billion US dollars in 1999, demonstrating a growing momentum.

The Sino-Indian Boundary Question

The border between China and India is about 2,000 kilometers, which is divided into the eastern, middle and western sectors. The disputed areas are about 125,000 square kilometers, about 90,000 square kilometers in the eastern sector, about 2,000 square kilometers in the middle sector andabout 33,000 square kilometers the western sector. At present, India controls the whole eastern and middle sectors.

Important Documents

Sino-Indian Joint Press Communique (Published on 23 December 1988, Beijing)

Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of India on Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control in the Sino-Indian Border Areas (signed in September 1993)

Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of India on Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field along the Line of Actual Control in the Sino-Indian Border Areas (signed in November 1996)

Please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information

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