The Hindu

India-China Year of Friendship launched

February 15, 2007

Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI: India and China will soon increase the diplomatic presence in each other's countries by opening consulates in Guangzhou and Kolkata, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced here on Wednesday.

"Rapidly expanding trade and deepening economic ties are some of the positives of the improving India-China relationship. Bilateral trade reached $25 billion last year and is well on course to surpass the target of $40 billion by 2010," he said.

Speaking at the launch of `India-China Year of Friendship Through Tourism-2007,' Mr. Mukherjee said the decision of the two governments to strengthen ties through tourism, taken during the visit of President Hu Jintao, could not have come at a more opportune time.

"The need of the hour is to create awareness in our peoples about the two countries as tourist destinations. To this end, a detailed programme of activities has been drawn up jointly to celebrate 2007 as the `Friendship through Tourism Year.' Preparations are under way to open the China National Tourist Office in India. An Indian Tourist Office is also likely to be operational in China soon," he said.

With the rise in living standards, India and China have become impressive sources for outbound tourist traffic, Mr. Mukherjee said. It should be the endeavour of both governments to encourage citizens to visit each other's country as it would help them rediscover our shared cultural heritage.

Describing China and India as "major developing countries," the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister, Li Zhaoxing, said both the countries were "true friends, cooperative partners committed to long-term friendship, productive cooperation and common development."

"The combined population of our countries accounts for two-fifths of the world's total. Last year, 4,50,000 Chinese and Indians exchanged visits. This, however, is still a small number compared with our total population of 2.4 billion. Our two sides need to redouble efforts to increase our exchanges," Mr. Li said. He described the launch of `Friendship Year' as an important decision taken by the leaders of the two countries. "It is a key component of the 10-pronged strategy aimed at enhancing China-India strategic and cooperative partnership," he added.

He said that friendly relations served the fundamental interests of the two peoples and was in keeping with the trend of peace, cooperation and development in Asia and beyond. "Both China and India enjoy splendid culture and rich tourism resources, and there is a sound basis and great potential for enhancing our cooperation in tourism and other cultural fields," he said.

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