To mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, on April 1, 2010, Ambassador Zhang Yan attended the Seminar on 'India and China: Public Diplomacy, Building Understanding' co-hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS). Ambassador Zhang delivered a speech on the seminar. The following is the fulltext:

H. E. Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon, National Security Adviser

Director General Sudhir T. Devare

Professor Sreemati Chakrabarti

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. On this auspicious occasion, it is indeed a great pleasure for me to attend this gathering and exchange views with distinguished scholars from two countries on China-India relations. First of all, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to all friends who have worked tirelessly for the advancement of China-India relations.

In more than 2000 years of history, good-neighborliness and friendly interactions have always been the main feature of China-India relations. The liberation and independence of China and India in the middle of last century not only changed the destinies two countries, but also the political landscape of the world. The establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India on April 1, 1950 ushered in a new era for the development of the bilateral relations. Since then, two countries have enjoyed mutual understanding and support in their respective endeavor of safeguarding independence and sovereignty, as well as in national building. In spite of the temporary ups and downs, China-India relations on the whole have been progressing positively, thanks to the leadership of generations of leaders of two countries. Today, China and India have emerged as two fast growing economies and their relationship has gone beyond the bilateral significance and assumed global and strategic dimensions.

Looking into the future, despite of all kinds of good and bad hypothesis, I am optimistic about China-India relations with following reasons:

First, the leaders of two countries have taken long-term strategic perspectives about our relationship which provides a clear guidance and solid political basis for the sustained development of our relations.

Second, China-India relations have acquired new dimension. Two countries have established the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership in 2005, formulated Ten-Pronged Strategy in 2006, and signed A Shared Vision for 21st Century in 2008. All these have provided guidelines and roadmap for the development of strategic partnership.

Third, China-India relations are expanding and deepening in all round manner. Today China-India relations have extended into almost all human endeavors. The cooperation in all fields have yield tangible benefits to the people of two countries.

Fourth, China and India enjoy growing shared interests. As two emerging economic powers, China and India have become important trade partners. Two countries also share similar views on many important global and regional issues, and closely coordinate and cooperate with each other within the framework of BRICs, BASIC, G20 and other forum and on issues like the financial crisis, climate change and international trade negotiations. Both are committed to the promotion of building a harmonious world of peace and common prosperity.

Fifth, China-India relations are growing in maturity. While striving to seek mutually acceptable solutions to boundary issue and other differences, both sides agree not to let those differences stand in the way of our cooperation. Furthermore, two countries have set up relevant mechanisms, such as Special Representative Talks on border issue, strategic dialogues and so on. All these platforms have played very useful role for addressing relevant issues and maintaining stable relations of two countries.

The past 60 years have proved, when China and India live in amity and understand and support each other, two countries grow faster and people benefit. When China and India join hands, they can make positive impact on the world peace and prosperity. It has also proved that cooperation, communication, consultation and dialogue are the best means to handle our relations. There are no fundamental difference and conflicts between China and India. Let alone China and India are rivalries or threat to each other. Two countries are partners for development. We have more common interests than differences. As Chinese President Hu Jintao underlines that the good-neighborly friendship and cooperation between China and India and their common development not only benefit our two peoples but also serve the peace and development of Asia and the entire world. Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said time and again that there is enough room in the world for India and China to prosper together.

Friends, to move the China-India relations forward, I am of the view that efforts should be made in the following areas:

First, further enhance mutual trust. I share the view that China and India need urgently to enhance their mutual trust which is vital to a sound and stable relationship. Without trust there can be no genuine relations. Without trust there can be no sustained and meaningful cooperation. Two countries should maintain the momentum of high-level interaction; expand exchanges and cooperation at all level and in all fields. The forth-coming visit by Indian President to China this year will surely greatly enhance mutual trust and cooperation of two countries.

Second, upgrade the level of economic cooperation. As two fast growing economies, China and India still hold great potentials in their economic, trade and investment cooperation. Two sides should expand the scope of trade, improve trade configuration, and strive to reduce the trade imbalance. At the same time, two countries should endeavor to reach a regional trade arrangement and take effective measures to remove trade and investment barriers so as to foster an environment conductive for a sustainable development of bilateral economic cooperation and achieve a win-win outcome.

Third, expand people-to-people exchanges to cement public support for our relations. The two countries should enhance exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, tourism, religion, science and technology, and increase interactions between the academic communities and media sectors of two countries. Exchanges between youth should be further expanded. The China Festive and Indian Festival to be held in respective country this year will serve as an invaluable platform for promoting mutual understanding and friendship.

Fourth, further strengthen cooperation in multilateral forum. China and India shall remain as important partner in regional and global affairs, strengthen coordination and cooperation, and continue to play an active role in promoting multi-polarization and democratization in international relations and safeguarding the common interests of developing countries.

Fifth, properly address each other’s concerns. The two countries should respect and accommodate each other’s interests and concerns and appropriately manage the outstanding issues through consultations on an equal footing and in a spirit of mutual understanding. The two sides shall follow the political parameters and principles both agreed, including the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, and strive to seek a fair and reasonable solution acceptable to both sides. Pending a final resolution, we shall not allow the differences to affect our cooperation.

Sixth, properly handle the public opinion. Public opinion is vitally important to the development of our relations. Two countries should provide correct guidance to the public opinions and avoid war of words. Efforts should be made on both sides in order to create an objective, friendly and mutually trust environment. A good and conducive public environment will not only provide a necessary condition for the stable development of our relations, but also create conditions conducive to the settlement of historical issues and other differences.

At the beginning of a new cycle of 60 years, China-India relations face with new and rare opportunities. Two countries should seize the opportunity, and join their efforts to take our relations to a new height.

I hope that this seminar will produce useful and thought-provoking ideas on how best to further advance the China-India relationship. And wish you a fruitful deliberation. Thank you!

(From Left to Right)Director General of ICWA Amb. Sudhir T. Devare, Amb. Zhang Yan,

 Hon. Director of ICS Prof. Sreemati Chakrabarti