China
China-India relations elevated to a new plane
Reporter: How do you explain the situation that the China-India economic and trade exchanges will 'elevate links'?
Zhang: Firstly, I agree that China and India have been striving for rapid development in bilateral economic and trade ties which are conducive to their relationship as a whole. Secondly, as is reported, the recent years have witnessed an evident rise in bilateral economic and trade exchanges. To name a few, bilateral trade has sustained an average of 32 percent growth year-on-year since 1996, with a volume breaking the US$20 billion mark in 2006, and exceeding US$34.2 billion by the end of 2007. In the coming years, the two countries are bound to do more to forge ahead with their economic and trade collaboration, and give a boost to the existing friendly relationship.
Reporter: Last month, the two countries launched a first-ever joint anti-terrorism military training. What new changes could be brought about by this military drill?
Zhang: Higher-level military exchanges symbolize friendly ties. In the recent years, respective army chiefs and generals have engaged in more frequent exchanges and communication. Both sides have hammered out the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding for Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of Defense. In 2007, a China-India naval search and rescue joint exercise occurred: the first-ever cooperation in a non-traditional security field between the two sides. The joint anti-terrorism military training that just finished in Kunming, in southwest China, indicates that mutual understanding and trust have been enhanced. It is of far reaching significance for stronger bilateral relations.
Reporter: What do you mean by the global significance of the China-India relationship?
Zhang: China and India are two regional powers; yet both are developing countries feeding over 40 percent of the global population. Both countries are confined to similar natural conditions; therefore, they face the challenge of improving their people's sustenance. The two countries are pursuing a relationship which is long-term, mutually beneficial and set on an even keel. Harmonious China-India relations do not only guarantee win-win progress between the two countries, but also benefit the region, and bring a momentum of lasting peace and common prosperity to the world.
Editor:Zhang Ning