China on Wednesday said its common ground and common interests with India “far outweigh” any disputes or conflicts, underscoring that the relationship between the two countries had moved on from 1962 in its first comments on the 50th anniversary of the war.
"China is ready to work with India in the spirit of looking forward," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told a regular press briefing when asked about the 50th anniversary.
He called on both countries to look to the future and "boost trust, enhance communication, expand cooperation and deepen the China-India strategic cooperative partnership for the benefit of both the countries and both peoples."
“The current world has undergone deep and profound changes,” Mr. Hong said. “As the two most populous developing countries and emerging economies, both China and India face important opportunities of development. The two countries are cooperating partners, instead of rivals. Their common ground far outweighs disputes, and common interests outnumber conflicts.”
Mr. Hong’s comments were the first official statements in China about the anniversary, with the war a much forgotten event in this country fifty years on. In sharp contrast to the current reflection in India on the events of 1962, the Chinese State-run media has been largely silent on the war.
While China’s war with Japan is a common topic for the official media, particularly in light of recent tensions between the countries over disputed East China Sea islands which sparked anti-Japan protests, State-run outlets rarely comment on either the 1962 war or China’s war with Vietnam, both conflicts in which China was the aggressor.
In the case of the war with India, one Chinese journalist at a prominent official daily indicated that there was an unofficial directive to play down the anniversary. “The message is we want to focus on good relations with India, and that the war is a sensitive issue,” the journalist said.
Mr. Hong on Wednesday said the leaders of both countries had pointed out on many occasions that “the world has enough space for the common development of China and India”.
Keywords: India-China war, 1962 war, Indo-China war, 50th anniversary, bilateral relations
The Chinese will do well to keep a few things in mind. It does not
warm Indian hearts when we see China warming up unnaturally to
Pakistan: we see that as an instance of a shared anti-Indianism,
which Pakistan and China have continued to maintain for long. If
China goes on dithering about settlement of the boundary disopute,
some day an Indian leader will arise who will think in terms of
increasing China’s costs for the burdens that Chinese policies place
on India. It is hardly necessary to remind ourselves that India has
had to consider strategy which provides for a two-front war at the
same time. No one in India thinks of war ever but if the Chinese go
on encouraging their “time-tested” and “all weather” friend, then
India will have to think carefully before it can seriously consider
Chinese protestations of good relations with India. It is up to the
Chinese to convince Indians that the Chinese mean their friendship –
this time.
If China is really sincere,then, China should vacate all indian territory occupied by it on western borders of India such as Aksai Chin including some adjoining areas and also Shaksgam Valley.
Good events must be commemorated not others by intelligent people. The 1962 war with China was a bad precedent never to happen again. As we forget the past and look into the future India should use the US and Chinese solar energy technologies to overcome power famine prevalent in India to our advantage in the forthcoming decade. India should use neighbour's expertise in health-care, poverty allievation on its forward path.
It would also help if China introspects, and wonders that not everything they did was ethical and justified. The problem with the Chinese is that they look at the critical issue of Tibet from the vantage point of territory, empire, boundaries, treaties(acceptable or otherwise) power, domination and control. India will consider people, individuals, culture, historical influences, freedom and democracy. So there are two very different, one may say profoundly divergent, approaches to Tibet.
yes, the world has changed, current wars are faught by controlling production lines and capturing markets, and China is clearly winning, and India is deep asleep...actually worse than that...they are helping foreigners win the battle by opening fdi in retail, why china will want to invoke bad memories in Indians when they have an easy shot....
This is good development and the words used are really very positive,
mature and pro peace. To me it appears a good gesture on this 50th
anniversary. China and India need to take benefit from a co operative environment.I am sure China would definitely a) take some actions in coming
months/ years to translate good words into a substantial
understanding. China also needs to take a stand vis a vis other
countries eg Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, USA, EU etc that
both China and India are together moving towards better Economic and
Defense ties.
Both countries can benefit a lot if they work together and if they
dont have to look over the shoulders of each other. Mutual trust was
the most significant loss due to 1962 aggression and war. Once thats
genuinely restored, the rest will follow. Hope India responds sufficiently without forgetting the lessons learnt and does arrive at action points which restore the trust and pave further progress and co operation. China must help.
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