Appreciating the growth of country’s economy in the recent years, Niu Qingbao, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, has said that despite experiencing some difficulties, India was maintaining its status of the second fastest growing major economy.
Participating in the inaugural function of Chinese Photographic Exhibition jointly organised by the Consulate-General of the Peoples Republic of China in Mumbai and India-China Friendship Association (ICFA), Karnataka, here on Monday, Mr. Qingbao said that India had recorded an impressive growth rate compared to the European Union, the United States and other developed countries.
Noting that the Chinese and Indians will not give up their right for further development despite hurdles created by Western economies, he said that both the countries would not harm the planet as Western economies have done.
China had realised that it can no longer continue to rely on low wages, low value-added resources and energy-consuming industries, he said and added, “that is why China has spent so much on renewable energy like solar and wind energy.”
China plans to attach more importance to inclusive growth and social parity, besides devoting more resources to social harmony, combating social evils such as corruption and substantially expand social democracy, he said.
The photo exhibition had three categories: Grand Western Development, Innovation in China and Legacy Kotnis (Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis).
Inaugurating the exhibition, the former Union Minister M.V. Rajasekharan said that an agreement to exploit tourism potential in both China and India would help generate employment opportunities, besides strengthening the bonds between the two countries.
The exhibition helps understand how China progressed in the recent years, he said and added that “there was lot to learn from China”.
“It is discipline that helped China progress, which we lack,” he said.
In his keynote address, ICFA Karnataka general secretary V. Bhaskaran underlined the need to strengthen socioeconomic ties with China. He regretted that United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre was not showing any interest in extending support to India-China Joint Medical Mission.
ICFA was sending doctors to the mission in China, he said and sought a reciprocal gesture from the neighbouring country.
The exhibition concludes on October 26.
