From rxpgnews.com
Rising China, India key to true Asian century: Hu
By Indo Asian News Service,
Nov 22, 2006 - 9:09:08 PM
New Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) Imparting a global dimension to burgeoning India-China relations, Chinese President Hu Jintao Wednesday said the rise of the two emerging powers is 'mutually reinforcing' and is central to not only a new Asian century but to a new world order.
Unveiling a robust vision of the India-China strategic relations, Hu described India and China as 'true friends and partners,' who are 'committed to pursuing long-term friendship' and can work together to 'create a bright future for their peoples.'
'We both agree that we need to send the world an important message. That is, China and India are true friends and partners,' Hu, who is in India on a four-day visit, said in his keynote address at the Vigyan Bhavan convention centre that outlined a template of the India-China relations in the context of an evolving world order.
'To enter into strategic partnership with India is not an expedient. Rather, it's a strategic decision and firm goal of the Chinese government,' Hu said, while elaborating on the importance Beijing attaches to developing relations with New Delhi.
Stressing the demographic and economic strengths of India and China which together account for two-fifths of the world's population, Hu said: 'The course we chart and the pace of our development have major implications for peace and development in Asia and beyond.'
What stood out from Hu's speech was his vision of harmonious society and harmonious world in which the fast-track socio-economic development of India and China can contribute to global peace and security.
'Both China and India are on the fast track of economic and social development, demonstrating to the world the bright future of the two countries and the promise of a revitalised Asia,' he said.
'Working hand in hand, China and India will make greater progress in development. This will deliver enormous benefit to the 2.4 billion Chinese and Indian peoples and the people of Asia and the world,' Hu, who is coming to India after 22 years, said.
'When China and India achieve development, the world will see a true Asian century,' the 63-year-old leader of China stressed.
Hu proposed a five-pronged strategy to further expand strategic partnership between the two Asian giants that included increasing mutual political trust, enhancing business cooperation, increasing cultural and social exchanges, stepping up friendly consultations for an early settlement of the boundary issue and developing multi-lateral cooperation for creating a multi-polar world.
Hu quoted Chinese sage and philosopher Confucius, who had said, 'One who wishes to achieve success should also help others achieve success,' to illustrate the point that the rise of India and rise of China are 'not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing' and both countries can hep each other in achieving larger developmental goals.
'This is a key value of the Chinese culture. China wants to develop itself and lives in harmony with others,' he said.
Keen to project his pet theory about the peaceful rise of China, Hu said: 'History has shown and will continue to show that China's development is peaceful, open and cooperative in nature and that China will remain a staunch force for peace and common development.'
'China-India friendship benefits not only both countries, but also Asia and the world. China-India relations have gone beyond the bilateral context and acquired global dimension,' said Hu.
Lauding India's 'tremendous progress' in recent years, Hu said: I heartily rejoice at the achievements India has made in its economic and social development.'
'India's development will also create valuable opportunities for deepening the friendship and win-win cooperation between itself and China,' Hu underlined.
Ending his speech in a prophetic vein, Hu quoted Meng Haoran, a famous Chinese poet in Tang Dynasty who lived over 1,200 years ago, to make the point that the friendship between China and India is 'a long-term pursuit whose flourishing requires the efforts of two peoples from generation to generation.'
The Chinese poet had written: 'All people have their day, and the new generation will invariably succeed the old.'
'Let us work together to enhance China-India strategic and cooperative partnership, build a world of enduring peace and common prosperity and create a bright future for our two countries and two peoples,' said Hu, while concluding his defining address on the meaning of India-China relations for Asia and the world.
Hu's speech was followed by ringing applause from diplomats, industrialists and journalists, who had gathered to listen to him and showed the new energy and synergy in bilateral ties.
Hu, who held talks Tuesday with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a broad range of bilateral and global issues, including the border row, trade and civilian nuclear cooperation, goes to Agra and then to Mumabi later in the day.
'Let us harness our energies in working for the comprehensive all-round development of our relations, showing sensitivity to each other's concerns and aspirations,' Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said while welcoming Hu to deliver his keynote address that was organised by the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA), a think tank of the Ministry of External Affairs on strategic and diplomatic issues.
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