 |
President Jiang Makes 4-Point Proposal on Sino-Indian Relations
President Jiang Zemin made a four-point proposal Monday for the development of China-India relations during talks with Indian President Kocheril Raman Narayanan, who is on a 7-day state visit to China.
Jiang's first point is to increase visits between personnel of the two countries to increase mutual understanding and trust.
Along with high-level official visits between the two countries, various levels of contacts in different forms should also be actively conducted between parties, parliaments, business circles, the media, academics, and non-governmental organizations of the two countries.
The second point is to expand trade and economic cooperation, and lay a more solid foundation for the bilateral relationship.
There is great potential for bilateral trade and economic cooperation, and the two sides should make efforts to explore new channels to exchange market information, and encourage entrepreneurs in mutual investment, with the aim of bringing two-way trade and economic cooperation to new highs.
The third point is to strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and make joint efforts for the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order. Coordination and cooperation will also serve the lawful interests and rights of the developing countries, and the promotion of world peace and stability.
Jiang's fourth point is to properly handle issues left over from the past in the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences. This does not mean shelving disputes forever, nor does it mean developing bilateral relations only after all disputes are completely resolved. The two sides should start from their common interests, transcend some disputes, and push forward bilateral relations.
The Chinese president said he believes the current visit by president Narayanan coinciding the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and India will further push forward good-neighborly and cooperative friendship in the next 50 years. As early as the 1950s, late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and late Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru jointly pioneered the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the generally acknowledged principles guiding state-to-state relations which are still full of vitality today, Jiang noted.
The five principles are mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
Jiang described the 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and India as "good-neighborly and friendly." He stressed that a stable, healthy, and normal relationship between the world' s two most populous countries serves the fundamental interests of people in both countries, and the peace and stability of the region.
Narayanan said the India-China relationship has developed smoothly over the past few years, especially since President Jiang 's 1996 visit to India. During that visit, China and India agreed to seek to forge a 21st-century-oriented, constructive, and cooperative partnership under the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
The Indian president said that decision is of great significance for the sustainable development of India-China relations in the new century.
Narayanan stressed that as the two countries share a wide range of interests in various areas, there is no excuse for the two not to properly resolve issues left over from the past. Rather, they should be good friends and good partners forever.
Narayanan and Jiang also discussed many other issues of mutual concern, including the multi-polarization of the world, the role of the United Nations, the reform of the United Nations Security Council, the establishment of a just and reasonable new world political and economic order, and the maintaining of peace and stability in south Asia and the world.
In addition, they agreed that a forum for Chinese and Indian notables will be established, with the aim of increasing cooperation and understanding.
Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, and Indian Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Manohar Joshi also attended the talks.
In This Section
|