Bringing with me friendly sentiments of the Chinese people toward the people of India, I have come to the Republic of India for an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. I wish to take this opportunity to convey cordial greetings and good wishes to the people of India.

China and India are nest-door neighbors with friendly exchanges dating back to ancient times. The bilateral relations have shown a positive momentum of all-round development since the dawn of the 21st century. As the world's two major developing countries, China and India will exert positive influence on peace and development in Asia and the world at large when we live in peace, deepen mutual trust and expand cooperation.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to developing good-neighborly relations and friendly cooperation with India and stands ready to work with India to view and handle our bilateral relations from a strategic perspective bearing in mind the larger picture, expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation in all areas and properly settle questions left over from history, with a view to bringing China-India ties to a new high.

The purpose of my visit is to enhance China-India friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote bilateral relations. I am looking forward to in-depth exchange of views on a wide range of issues including bilateral ties and other issues of common interest with the Indian leaders and people from all spectra of life. I hope and believe that my visit will inject fresh vigor and vitality into relations between China and India.