China, India Agree to Work for Settlement of Border Issue

Red-carpet Welcome for Indian President

President Jiang Zemin and Indian President Kocheril Raman Narayanan held talks Monday in the Great Hall of the People and agreed to work for an early and proper settlement of the border issue between the world's two most populous countries.

Border Issue

Jiang said that it will take time and patience on the part of both sides to settle the border issue left over from the past. He said China has always taken a positive approach toward the settlement of this issue.

"We hope that the two sides can constantly create a good atmosphere on the basis of mutual concession and mutual adjustment, the spirit of understanding that has been reached between leaders of the two countries, and seek a fair and reasonable solution to the issue through negotiations," Jiang said.

Narayanan said India is willing to work together with China for a proper settlement of the issue. He said he has noted that China has solved its border problems with other neighbors basically through friendly negotiations.

The two presidents agreed that the two sides should step up their efforts and seek an early and proper settlement of the border issue. They stressed that even before a final settlement, the two sides should make joint efforts to maintain the peace and tranquillity of the border areas.

Red-carpet Welcome

Prior to the talks, Jiang held a grand ceremony to welcome the Indian president at the Tian'anmen Square to welcome Indian President Kocheril Raman Narayanan.

Jiang accompanied Narayanan to review the Chinese guards of honor.

In addition to Beijing, the Indian president and his entourage will travel to the port city of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning province and Kunming, capital city of southwest China's Yunnan province.

Narayanan arrived in Beijing Sunday evening on a seven-day state visit to China.

Wife Attends Women's Symposium

Meanwhile, Usha Narayanan, wife of Kocheril Raman Narayanan, attended a symposium on women in Beijing.

Shen Shuji, vice-president and member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, briefed the guests on the functions of the ACWF and the current state of women's affairs in China.

She voiced the hope that Chinese and Indian women will promote mutual understanding and achieve greater cooperation in many fields.

Usha Narayanan said she hopes her China tour will further exchanges between Chinese and Indian women.