Wang's trip to India is of great significance: China?

Wang's trip to India is of great significance: China?Beijing: China today said Foreign Minister Wang Yi's just concluded visit to India is of "great significance" and sent out a message that Chinese leaders pay high attention to bilateral ties and their mutual interests far outweigh disputes.

"From this visit, we know that Sino-India relation is now in a new age of gearing up," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here.

"I believe that Foreign Minister's visit sent the following messages, that is, Chinese leaders pay attention to growing relations with India, common interests between the two countries far outweigh disputes.

"... We are natural partners rather than rivals and the Chinese and Indian dream integrate with each other, so we should build closer development partnership with each other," she said.

Besides holding talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Wang also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called on President Pranab Mukherjee during his stay in New Delhi in the last two days.

"Indian leaders also responded positively," Hua said, pointing to the observations by Mukherjee that the two countries which had a combined population of 2.6 billion people make the most magnificence map in the human civilisation.

Modi said that Wang brought important messages from President Xi Jinping to chart a new course for the development of India and the two sides should maintain development, cement practical cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, so as to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas, Hua stated.

"Therefore, we believe that Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India at this time is of great significance. We expect to make joint efforts with India to bring our amicable and friendly relations with India to a new high," she said.

"We believe that the development of Sino-India relations are not only in the benefits of the two people but will also help peace, stability and development of the region and beyond," she said. --- PTI