China on Wednesday said stable ties with India would benefit the region, as it welcomed recent comments made by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, saying India would have to accept the “new reality” of China’s presence in the neighbourhood as the two countries build “a meaningful partnership.”
“Both Chinese and Indian leaders believe there is enough space in the world for the common development of China and India,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in response to Mr. Khurshid’s comments, official news agency Xinhua reported.
“Sustainable, stable and healthy China-India ties will not only benefit both peoples but will also help to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world at large,” he said.
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Mr. Khurshid had said at a conference this week that closer collaboration between the two countries would play a key role in defining Asia’s next century. He also said India “will have to accept the new reality of China’s presence in many areas that we consider an exclusive playground for India and its friends.”
China was “willing to work with India so as to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries,” Mr. Hong said, “and engage in developing a bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual trust and cooperation.”