From November 14 to 18, H.E. Mrs. Cheng Zhili, State Councilor of China paid an official goodwill visit to India. During the visit, she met with Mr. Natwar Singh, Indian External Affairs Minister and Mr. Kapil Sibal, Indian Minister of State for Ocean Development, Science & Technology respectively, visited Software Technology Park of India in Bangalore, Ranbaxy Labaratories Limited R & D Centre in Delhi and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. She made an on-the-spot investigation of Indian software industry, pharmacy and education and discussed with the Indian side cooperation between the two countries in the fields of IT, traditional medicine and other practical technologies.

When Mrs. Chen Zhili met with Indian External Affairs Minister, she stressed that China-India relationship had maintained a good momentum of development and continued to achieve substantial progress with the high regards and joint efforts by the two governments and all walks of life of the two countries. It was of strategic importance for China and India, the two biggest developing countries, to develop friendship and cooperation. A healthy, stable and developing China-India relationship was not only in the fundamental interests of the two peoples but also conductive to the peace and development of the whole region and the world at large.

Mrs. Chen Zhili stated that it would further mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples if China and India could strengthen cooperation in cultural and educational fields. Next year would be the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. Taking the opportunity of the China-India Cultural Week, China would continue to expand cultural exchanges and cooperation with India. China encouraged personages from all walks of life to put forward suggestions for bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, science & technology and culture, continuously explore potentials for cooperation, expand cooperation fields and put new vitality and energy into the comprehensive and in-depth development of China-India relations.

Mr. Singh said that Indian people cherished a deep affection for China. India-China relations had a good momentum of development now. The friendly and cooperative relations between India and China could not only benefit the two peoples but also have positive effect on the stability and prosperity of Asia and the world at large. India and China would play important roles in the 21^st century. Indian people admired very much the great achievements made by their Chinese counterpart in the past 20 years. It was hoped that India and China could learn from each other and cooperate in the fields such as science, technology and education.