Chinese Premier Arrives in India for Official Visit

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, kicked off his five-day visit to India.

In his brief airport statement, Zhu said healthy, stable and friendly Sino-Indian relations not only conform to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples but are also conducive to peace and development in Asia and the whole world.

"China is willing to push forward Sino-Indian relations with the Indian Government and its people on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence," Zhu said.

Zhu is scheduled to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee on Monday to discuss bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern.

Zhu arrived in New Delhi after wrapping up his two-day visit to Bangladesh over the weekend.

Zhu pledged to Bangladeshi President Badruddoza Chowdhury that China is a trustworthy friend of Bangladesh and is willing to develop good neighbourly friendship with all South Asian countries during their meeting on Saturday.

"We sincerely hope that stability be kept in South Asia and all South Asian countries treat each other equally and co-exist peacefully," Zhu said, adding China is willing to deepen mutual understanding and expand co-operation with all South Asian countries.

Zhu and his Bangladeshi counterpart Begum Khaleda Zia attended the inaugural ceremony of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on Saturday.

Construction of the centre was completed in 17 months with financial and technical assistance from China.

China will continue to consolidate the friendly relationship with all parties of Bangladesh including the Bangladesh Awami League, Zhu said in his Saturday meeting with Sheikh Hasina, president of Bangladesh Awami League and Leader of the Opposition in the Bangladeshi Parliament.

On Saturday Zhu also met Jamiruddin Sircar, speaker of the National Assembly.

(China Daily January 14, 2002)