Xi: Closer development partnership between China, India

Respected Vice-President Ansari,

Respected Director General Bhatia

Ladies and Gentlemen, friends

Namaste! Good afternoon. I'm very glad to meet you here at the invitation of the Indian Council of World Affairs. First of all, I would like to extend sincere greetings and best wishes on behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people, and also myself. I want to pay great respects and gratitude to those people who have contributed to China-India friendship and cooperation over the last many years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China and India should be "express trains" driving regional development, as well as "twin anchors" of regional peace.

India left me with a very good impression when I visited in 1997 as a regional leader at provincial level. 17 years later, when I set foot in this glorious land again, I am witnessing the great achievements of the Indian people and feel the diligent spirit of the nation. Like people say, "Indian's development is truly incredible."

India is a mysterious and colorful country that has thousands of years of history. Your country has walked a long road of independence and self-improvement, and stepping on the road of renaissance that is full of hope. Coming to India is coming to a colorful historical gallery. Yesterday is magnificent, today is inspiring and tomorrow will be wonderful. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Indian people are confident about their future, and international society is full of hope and expectation from India.

During this visit, Prime Minister Modi and I have exchanged deep opinions on bilateral relations and important issues of common interests. We have shared common understanding on a lot of issues. We have agreed to enrich the meaning of the two countries' strategic cooperation partnership, and build a closer relationship of development partnership.

China's former leader Deng Xiaoping had once said, only when the China-India relationship develops, will a real "Asian century" emerge. Mr. Nehru also said that when China and India join hands, Asia and even the world will take note. As the two largest countries in Asia, China and India have historical responsibility and mission of the times, to safeguard the peace and stability of Asia and rejuvenate Asia's prosperity.

Xi: China and India share a long history of friendship

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

The people of China and India are close neighbors. We've had close contacts and exchanges since ancient times, and have gone through thick and thin in modern times, and have jointly undertook the rejuvenation of our countries in contemporary times. Gandhi once said "China and India are fellow travellers who share fortunes and failures." During this year's BRICS Summit in Brazil, Prime Minister Modi told me that, "China and India are two bodies with one spirit." These words underscore our common aspiration for peace and goodness and the bond between our people's hearts.

According to written records, the relationship between China and India dates back over 2000 years. Buddhism was born in ancient India, and thrived in ancient China. Exchanges in Buddhism have been vibrant in our histories. In 67 A.D., the two Indian Monks Matanga and Dharmaratna came to Luoyang, China, where they translated Buddhist scriptures and spread its teachings. They translated "Sutra in Forty-Two Sections," which are the earliest translations of Buddhist texts in China. During the Han Dynasty, white horses carried buddhist scriptures from India to China, and Xuanzang's Journey to the West in Tang Dynasty, also brought Indian culture back to China. Speaking of Buddhism, I'd like to mention a master of Chinese studies, Mr. Ji Xianlin. He studied Sanskrit in his early years, and he said he needed to gain a deep understanding of Buddhism that originated from India in order to understand Chinese culture, because Buddhism has permeated the heart of Chinese culture. Admiral Zheng He of Ming Dynasty, conducted seven voyages of exploration, and visited India six times, bringing China's friendship. India's songs, dances, astronomy, calendar, literature, architecture, and sugar making techniques were all introduced to China. In turn, China's paper manufacturing, silk, porcelain, tea and music were exported to India. All of this makes up the historic evidence of our interconnectivity, mutual contact, and mutual learning.

In modern times, the Chinese and Indian people have emphasized and supported each other's efforts for national independence and liberation. Working together, we pushed for the awakening of Asia. India cheered for China during our anti-opium war, and China encouraged India's independence movement. During China's War of Resistance against the Japanese aggression, Indian medical teams left behind touching stories. In particular, Doctor Kotnis even passed away in China. Chinese people will always remember his noble deeds. Tomorrow morning, I will also go to meet with his relatives.

In 1950, China and India established diplomatic ties, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. India was among the first to recognize the new China and in proposing a resumption of China's legitimate seat in the UN. China, India and Myanmar initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, a pioneering undertaking in international relations. This is a remarkable contribution to modern civilization. In June of this year, the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence was held in Beijing, where Vice president Ansari attended the ceremony on behalf of India. We met each other and delivered remarks together.

In the new century, the two countries have set up a strategic partnership of peace and prosperity. Our bilateral relationship has experienced rapid development. Over the past decade, bilateral trade grew over twenty fold and people-to-people exchanges nearly doubled. The depth and scope of exchanges and cooperation has been unprecedented. It's fair to say that bilateral relations are standing on a new historic starting point.