Xi: China seeks peaceful coexistence with neighbors

The Chinese nation has always placed emphasis of the virtue of associating with benevolent gentlemen, befriending good neighbors and coordinating myriad nations. That is also a principle that runs through Chinese diplomacy. China regards good relations with neighbors as a basis for a peaceful existence and development. We have put forward the concept of China's diplomacy as intimacy, sincerity, reciprocity and inclusiveness. By that we mean we should get along with our neighbors earnestly and sincerely, put our whole heart into development, jointly promote mutual cooperation and share the fruits of development.

Xi: China is still a developing nation

With a population of over 1.3 billion people, China has achieved in several decades what developed countries took several centuries to achieve. This is a historic achievement. At the same time, we should be fully aware that China is still one of the biggest developing countries in the world, and it is still at the primary stage of socialism. China's total economy may be big, but the per capita GDP still ranks about 80th in the world. China has a long way to go before its 1.3 billion people can all live well.

Xi: China seeks great rejuvenation

For a long time to come, achieving economic development and promoting overall social progress will remain a core task for China. China has set a development goal, that by the year 2020, we should double China's GDP from 2010, double the per capita income for both urban and rural residents and build China into a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way. And by the middle of the 21st century, we will work to turn China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious. That goal is also summarized as the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi: China cherishes, safeguards peace

China requires lasting external environment of peace and stability to realize the Chinese dream. Only by sticking to a peaceful development path, can China realize its development goals. The Chinese people went through a painful history witnessing frequent wars in modern times over the past century, and we do not want to see a recurrence of such tragedies in other places in the world. A Chinese saying goes, "Don't do to others what you do not want to be done to yourself". China remains resolute in cherishing, treasuring, and safeguarding peace.

Xi: South Asia has immense development potential

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.

From Nepal to the Maldives, from Afghanistan to Bangladesh, people in South Asia share aspirations for a good life and the pursuit of national revitalization, indicating a bright future of development in this region. I firmly believe that South Asia represents a promising sub-continent with immense potential. It will also probably become the new growth pole powering the economy in Asia and even the world.

Xi: "One Belt and One Road" for joint interests of S. Asia

Peace, stability, development, and prosperity in South Asia is in the interest of countries and peoples in this region, including that of China. China is willing to live in amity with its South Asian neighbors and make every contribution to the development of this region. By proposing "One Belt and One Road", China hopes to boost the interconnectivity of countries along the traditional land and maritime Silk Road, to make our economies prosperous, our trade complementary, and our peoples' hearts connected. With "One Belt and One Road" as wings, China wants to take off together with South Asian nations.

Xi: Cooperation potential remains huge in S. Asia

China and the countries in South Asia are important cooperation partners. We look forward to cooperation between China and the countries in the region as there is huge treasure waiting to be tapped into. China will join hands with South Asian nations to strive to lift our two-way trade to 150 billion US dollars in the next five years. China will also invest 30 billion US dollars in South Asia, and offer preferential loans of 20 billion US dollars to the region. China will also expand people-to-people exchanges with the countries in the region. In the forthcoming five years, we will create for South Asian nations, 10 thousand scholarships, receive 5 thousand people for training, have 5 thousand young people for exchanges and training, and train 5 thousand teachers in the Chinese language. China will work with South Asian nations to implement the China-South Asia scientific cooperation partnership plan and also give full importance to the China-South Asia Expo, in order to cultivate a new platform for mutually-beneficial cooperation.

Xi: China seeks mutual development with India

China is South Asia's biggest neighbor, and India is the biggest country in South Asia. China looks forward to joining hands with India, making greater contributions to the development of this region, so that three billion people on both sides of the Himalayas can share peace, friendship, stability, and prosperity.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

Rabindranath Tagore, the great Indian Poet adored by the Chinese people, visited China 90 years ago. He was warmly welcomed. When he set foot on Chinese soil, Tagore said: "I don't know why, but I feel as if I am back home when I am in China." When he left China, he said sadly: "My heart remains here."

There are youth delegates present today. The youth are the future of China and India, the hope of Asia and the world. The youth not only have the pleasure, anger, sorrow, and joy of realism, but also have the faith and perseverance of idealism. I hope you can absorb wisdom from the ancient history of China and India, and continue forward in the pursuit of truth. I hope you can strengthen the communication of hearts, keep youthful hearts in China and keep youthful hearts in India. Let us be both of the same mind and create a better future hand in hand.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

Lastly, I want to tell my Indian friends that in China, we stress that "One who wishes to be successful, seeks to help others to be successful. One who wishes to be understood, understands others." While China is seeking its own development, we sincerely wish India to be prosperous, thriving and powerful. We look forward to joining hands with India to advance toward common development. The Chinese people are willing to walk with the Indian people along the road of development and revival of India. I believe the people of China and India, who have profoundly influenced the development of human civilization, will make new and greater contributions to the development of Asia and the world.

Dhanyavad. Thank you!