Chinese FM on proper management of China-India border issue

Wang said that both China and India are countries with ancient civilizations.

(Reuters) - Proper management and control of border issue between China and India is the two countries’ historical responsibility, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the latest meeting on this issue in Chengdu of southwest China’s Sichuan Province on Saturday.

At the 21st Special Representatives’ Meeting on China-India Border Issue, Wang Yi and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval exchanged in depth views on the matter as well as bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concerns.

Wang said that both China and India are countries with ancient civilizations and they are also the largest developing countries in the world representing the most dynamic emerging economies at present. In this context, Wang said, they share extensive common interests with broad space for cooperation between them.

Enhanced cooperation between the two countries will not only accelerate the development of bilateral relations, but also make new contributions to world peace, Wang said, adding that the key to realize this goal is to properly manage and control the border issue, which is also a historical responsibility for both China and India.

A total of 20 meetings have been held since the launch of the Special Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India Border Issue in 2003. The mechanism has become an important institutional platform for the two countries to discuss their border issue and regional hotspot issues.

In April this year, Chinese and Indian leaders reached consensus at an informal meeting in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province where they agreed that both countries should, on the basis of respecting each other’s concerns and aspirations, handle differences through peaceful consultation in a mature and wise manner and seek a fair and reasonable solution to the border issue acceptable to both sides.

Efforts should be made to ensure that the border issue does not affect the overall situation of China-India cooperation. Wang said that at present, China-India relations are showing a strong momentum of all-round improvement and development. The special representatives’ meeting should also keep pace with the general trend of development and present a new outlook of cooperation and progress.