China, India outline measures to improve relations

(Asianewsphoto)
Updated: 2008-01-14 23:09


Premier Wen Jiabao (L) welcomes Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing January 14, 2008. Wen said that Sino-Indian relations face important strategic chances as he met with the Indian Prime Minister. [Asianewsphoto]

Beijing -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed a document on Monday listing the two nations' "shared vision" for the 21st century and the tasks needing completion.

In the document, the two countries agreed to strengthen communications of senior officials, to arrange for mutual visit of foreign ministers, and to hold the fourth strategic dialogue.

They also planned to expand mutual investment and strengthen cooperation in energy, science and environmental protection. Regional trade talks between the two would be launched at an appropriate time and the target set for the 2010 bilateral trade volume was raised to US$60 billion from US$40 billion.

A Sino-Indian fund was planned to improve cultural communications, to organize a mutual visit program between young people, and to prepare for the "India Festival" and the "China Festival" in 2010.

The document aimed to strengthen military exchanges between the two countries, and planned to hold the second joint anti-terrorist training at an appropriate time. It said China and India would step up cooperation in international and regional affairs in order to tackle conventional and unconventional security threats.

Wen said the document would become another key document that outlined mutual relationship development and marked an important step in improving China-India relations.

Singh noted the relationship between the two largest developing countries had global significance. Not only were they neighbors and friends, but also partners.

He reiterated India would adhere to the one-China policy and would not support the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" or Taiwan authorities' efforts at referendum on Taiwan's UN membership.

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