Chinese ambassador says ties with India getting closer

NEW DELHI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The strategic and cooperative partnership between China and India has entered a fast track and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's forthcoming visit to China will further push forward the good-neighborly and cooperative ties between the two countries, the Chinese ambassador has said.

In an interview with Xinhua before Singh's departure to China for a three-day official visit, Ambassador Zhang Yan said the Chinese government and people will accord a grand reception to Prime Minister Singh.

It is the first visit by Singh as prime minister of India, and he is also the first foreign leader to visit China in 2008.

Zhang said recent years have witnessed concerted efforts by China and India to advance bilateral relations, and frequent exchanges of high-level visits have given momentum to the development of the relationship.

Moreover, trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has recorded a rapid expansion while exchanges in culture, science, education, tourism and military have also made remarkable headway, he said.

In the first 11 months of 2007, trade volume between China and India hit 34.2 billion U.S. dollars, up 54 percent compared to the same period of 2006. India's official statistics also showed China has become its largest trading partner.

The ambassador pointed out that both China and India, the two largest developing countries accounting for 40 percent of the world's population, are faced with the same challenge of maintaining sustainable development and share the same vision of building a harmonious world.

"To fulfill these common aspirations, we are committed to developing and strengthening the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity between the two countries," Zhang said.

He also noted Chinese-Indian relations have today transcended a bilateral dimension and acquired global and strategic significance.

In the international and regional arenas, Zhang said both countries have maintained close consultation and cooperation to deal with challenges such as globalization, international trade, terrorism, energy security and are working together for the benefit of the developing countries.

With this in mind, the two countries, he said, should intensify the strategic and cooperative partnership in diverse areas to sustain the momentum of lasting, stable and healthy development.

"Under such situations, I believe Prime Minister Singh's visit will serve as another impetus to advance our relations," said the Chinese ambassador.