China and India agreed to follow the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence in seeking solutions to problems generated by their past history.

Li Peng, visiting chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), and Indian President Kocheril Raman Narayanan stressed Friday the great vitality of the principles.

The two countries jointly enunciated the principles in the 1950s. Their core tenet is to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

"Understanding and trust are the common aspiration of the peoples of the two countries," Li said.

He also said the twin imperatives of economic prosperity and world peace impel the two largest developing countries in the world to build on their historical affinity and expand their co-operation and contacts.

Friday morning the visiting Chinese top legislator met with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.

Calling Singh "old friend," Li said China appreciated his working to improve and develop Sino-Indian relations.

Regarding the differences and problems the two countries have, Li said China does not wish to see them become obstacles to the development of bilateral relations. They can be settled through amicable consultations.

When Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China in 1988, the two countries reached an understanding on the settlement of their boundary issue in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation. In 1993 and 1996 the Chinese and Indian governments reached two agreements on maintaining peace in the border area. The two sides are implementing the documents.

The two countries have made progress in finding solutions to building trust.

"We should continue to work for it, as the gradual settlement of the boundary issue will contribute to long-term stable and healthy development of bilateral relations," Li said.

China and India share about 2,000 kilometres of border. The disputed areas are about 125,000 square kilometres in size. The two countries fought a brief war over the border in 1962, which greatly impaired bilateral relations.

Their relationship did not start to improve until 1976, when Narayanan came to China as the first ambassador to China to renew relations after a rupture of more than a decade. Both sides decided to develop a constructive and co-operative partnership during President Jiang Zemin's state visit to India in 1996.

Against the background of political multipolarization and economic globalization, it is necessary for the two countries to increase dialogue and co-operation, Li said.

"It is China's unswerving policy to develop a long-term and stable good-neighbouringly and friendly relationship with India, which is our important neighbour," the Chinese top legislator said.

Singh hailed Li's ongoing visit to India as an important step in the development of bilateral relations.

The Indian minister said the problems left over by their past history can be settled gradually as long as the two sides make great efforts sincerely.

While meeting with Sonia Gandhi, leader of Congress Party, Chinese NPC Chairman congratulated her on her re-election.

Sonia Gandhi said she is touched by the Chinese leaders and people's remembrance of her husband Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991.

"Rajiv Gandhi's visit to China in 1988 was a turning point in China-India relations," Li said.

Both China and India have glorious pasts. They represent two of the world's great civilizations and their contacts have spanned millennia.

Friday afternoon at the reception given by Najma Heptulla, deputy chairwoman of the Council of States, Li encouraged Indian people from all walks of life to visit China.

"I will also encourage Chinese people to come to your country so we can have a better understanding of each other," Li said to the personalities who came from various circles of Indian society.

Li is on a eight-day official goodwill visit to India, which will end on January 17.

(China Daily 01/13/2001)