Chinese and Indian media should enhance communication in the coverage of bilateral exchanges, said Wang Chen, Minister of China's State Council Information Office, at a meeting Monday with Indian media representatives ahead of the India-China Development Forum.

Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office, speaks at the India-China Development Forum, which is held in Beijing Tuesday morning to mark the 60th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations.

Wang said the media should push forward mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries through objective and thorough reporting.

The two countries had close cultural and religionary communication in history, and if Chinese and Indian media can enhance the exchange and continue the relations at present, it will have significant meaning to both the countries, Wang added.

Wang also said both China and India are important and large emerging economies, and the growing understanding between the two countries will bring great benefit to themselves, Asia and the world.

Wang said many friends in the Indian media are the first time to visit China, and he hopes they can get to know more about China and have a sincere communication this time.

People who attended the meeting included Karan Thapar, president of Infotainment Television, Suhasini Haidar, deputy foreign editor of CNN-IBN, from India, Kanchan Gupta, associate editor of Pioneer and Bhupesh Bhandari, senior Associate editor of Business Standard, as well as representatives from China International Publishing Group, China Internet Information Center (CIIC) and China Development Gateway.

CIPG, CIIC and China Development Gateway organized the India-China Development Forum to provide a platform for both countries to discuss and exchange ideas on how to promote mutual understanding and deepen friendship. It also marks 60 years of diplomatic ties between the neighbors.