China, India make breakthrough on bilateral issues

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-16-2008 08:44

During Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's trip, both India and China made some breakthroughs on a series of significant bilateral issues.

This is Singh's first visit to China since he assumed office in 2004.

This is Singh's first visit to China since he assumed office in 2004.

And it's also the first official visit of an Indian Prime Minister in the last five years.

After a short break when he arrived on Sunday morning, Singh arrived at his first destination - Beijing's Olympic Exhibition Centre, which has special relevance for India as it looks to bid to host the 2020 Olympics.

Singh applauded China's preparations and expressed good wishes for the success of the 2008 Olympics.

That was the only side-trip taken during Singh's visit. High-level meetings and talks have taken up the majority of his time here.

Following the talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao, the two heads of government signed historic documents on a shared vision for the 21st century, as well as 10 other papers and memoranda of understanding including cooperation in culture and science, railway transport, traditional medicine, geological surveys and medical cooperation.

Manmohan Singh said, "India and China of regional and world significance Shared View of the 21st Century is a milestone reflects not only common concern, but also desire to cooperate in the future."

Wen Jiabao said, "We both feel satisfied with the direction that the development of relations between China and India is taking. We both recognise that China and India are cooperative partners, not competitive opponents. "

Economic and trade ties took center stage during Singh's visit, and progress was made. Both sides agreed to increase the 2010 trade volume target from 40 billion US dollars to 60 billion dollars. And they also agreed to hold their second joint military drill in India this year.

The signing of a series of agreements during Singh's visit is further deepening the China-India cooperations in many areas. With a combined population of one third of the world's total, the good cooperation between the two neighbors has acquired global significance.

Editor:Zhang Ning