On December 21, the 22nd meeting of Special Representatives of China and India was held in New Delhi. It was co-chaired by the Chinese Special Representative, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian special representative and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

Wang Yi said, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi have held two informal meeting since last year, clearly pointed out that China and India are opportunities for each other's development, and have led the healthy development of China-Indian relations in a forceful manner. The annual meeting of China-India Special Representatives is not only the main channel for China and India to discuss the boundary question, but also an important platform for strategic communication between the two sides. Both parties shall, in accordance with the important instructions given by the leaders of the two countries, actively advance boundary negotiations in line with the Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question, formulate a road map for negotiations on the settlement framework, and strive for a final solution that is fair, reasonable and acceptable for both parties. At the same time, the two sides should also promote early harvest consultations, strengthen confidence-building measures and cooperation in border areas, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in border areas.

Wang Yi said, as the main representatives of emerging market countries, China and India are both at the key historical stage of rejuvenation and development, therefore share a wide range of common strategic interests. The two sides should further strengthen communication and cooperation to jointly defend multilateralism, fairness and justice, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries and the developing countries. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India, which is also an important year for bilateral relations. Both sides should promote high level exchanges and institutional dialogues, deepen practical cooperation, and manage well the commemorative activities of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, so as to ensure China-India relations can move forward on the right track.

Doval said, the leaders of India and China have offered a new vision and strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations and the settlement of boundary question. Both sides should fully implement the important consensus reached by our two leaders, strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and try to resolve the boundary question through dialogue and consultation, so as to promote greater development of bilateral relations.

The two sides exchanged views on the early harvest of the boundary negotiations and reached a consensus on strengthening confidence building measures. They agreed to formulate management rules for maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas.They also agreed to strengthen communication and exchanges between the border forces of the two countries and set up hotlines between the relevant departments of the two armed forces, add border meeting points, expand border trade and personnel exchanges. Both sides agreed to hold the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives of China and India in China next year.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.