Amid a string of diplomatic exchanges, China has described its ties with India as a factor in promoting a multi-polar world, as well as an important component for fostering stability in the region.
On the eve of the arrival in Beijing of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said: “China and India are two largest developing countries and major emerging economies as well as two significant forces that drive forward world multi-polarisation.” He added: “Close and amicable relations between China and India not only serve the interests of the two sides, but also contribute to peace and stability of the region and the whole world. We would like to work with India and continuously move forward China-India strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity.”
Mr. Lu pointed out that the “intensive high level interactions” reflect that Beijing-New Delhi ties are “enjoying a sound and stable momentum of development, with in-depth growth of political mutual trust, enhanced exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and sound coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs”. The spokesperson noted that despite some differences between the two sides “which the media are more interested in”, the two countries “are all willing to effectively manage and address these differences through friendly negotiation and consultation”.
Mr. Lu’s remarks on Monday coincided with the ongoing visit to China by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. Separately, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday, on the sidelines of the Russia-India-China Foreign Minister’s meeting in Moscow. The flurry of exchanges will be capped by Mr. Doval’s talks on Wednesday with his counterpart Yang Jiechi for the 19th Special Representatives’ Meeting on the India-China Boundary Question.
The Chinese state-media is also according significant coverage to the surge of visitors from New Delhi.
State-run Xinhua news agency quoted Defence Minister Chang Wanquan as saying, in the aftermath of his talks with Mr. Parrikar, that “China reacted positively toward setting up a > military hotline with India on border security”.
Xinhua said Gen. Chang advocated that the two sides “to do a good job in implementing the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, enhance strategic communication, so as to safeguard common interests”.
He also suggested that Beijing and New Delhi should strengthen defence exchanges. A separate Xinhua report from Moscow paraphrased remarks by Mr. Wang, the foreign minister, that referred to the mutually reinforcing role that India and China could play in the success of the G-20 summit later this year in Hangzhou and the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) summit that would be held in India in October.
