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October 22 might be one of the busiest days for the Protocol Department of China’s Foreign Ministry as three prime ministers of neighboring countries—Russia（See story on page 16-17）， Mongolia and India—started their visits to China on the same day. Despite the arrangement described by the Foreign Ministry as coincidental， observers claimed the intensive visits of the three foreign heads of government， along with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang’s recent trips to Central Asia and Southeast Asia， highlighted China’s thriving diplomacy with its neighbors.
For the 81-year-old Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh， the latest trip to Beijing would possibly be the last for him in visiting China as India’s government head. However， with nine agreements signed on not only economic cooperation， but also cultural exchanges as well as border security， it will surely contribute to his China legacy.
Lan Jianxue， a research fellow on South Asian studies at China Institute of International Studies （CIIS）， said top Chinese and Indian leaders have already had many formal and informal meetings earlier this year. Apart from the consideration of its domestic schedule， Singh’s latest trip to Beijing within the year itself shows the importance the two countries attach to each other and the continued warming of bilateral ties.
“What is worthy of noting is that it is the first time since 1954 that the Chinese premier and Indian prime minister have visited each other in the same year，” said Lan. Premier Li paid a visit to New Delhi in May， the first leg of his foreign trip after taking office in March.
Progress on border issue
Indian media can now feel more relaxed after the signing of the China-India Border Defense Cooperation Agreement （BDCA）， which confirmed the practice and experience of such issues in law. Before Singh’s China trip， what concerned Indian media most was undoubtedly the border question.
The BDCA， among the nine agreements reached during talks between the two governments， was top of the list. It is seen as an important step between the two Asian giants. The agreement includes regular joint military exercises， periodic meetings between the officers and clarification on doubtful activities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying remarked that signing the agreement reflected the will and resolution of both sides for a friendly and cooperative relationship.“This is of great significance for friendship and trust between both sides as well as for peace and stability on the border，” Hua said. Both Chinese and Indian observers believe it is a landmark deal that will help build mutual trust between the two countries. They agree a peaceful border will translate into better relations in other areas.
Lan said that border disputes could be seen as one of the core issues between the two countries， while the BDCA bears important implications for bilateral ties. It is helpful for both sides to manage and control emergent incidents and maintain peace and stability in the border regions.
“The agreement would help reduce instances of stand-off between defense forces from either side such as the ‘tent confrontation’in April，” Lan told Beijing Review.
Sun Shihai， a senior scholar on South Asia studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences （CASS）， noted that it is the first time the two sides have signed a border issue agreement in “cooperation.”
“It is so positive. Neither side wants the border issue to affect overall bilateral relations，” Sun said.
Dipankar Banerjee， an Indian expert on strategic affairs， was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying， “It was a very significant step taken by the two heads of government in furthering India-China relations. Our talks on the settlement of border issues between special representatives remain ongoing； patrols from both sides crossing boundaries sometimes create tension along the line of actual control. I expect that this border defense cooperation agreement would definitely help reduce such tensions in future.”
Professor Srikanth Kondapalli， a famous scholar on Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi， also told Xinhua News Agency that he believes the BDCA will stabilize border area disputes.
“For example， the trailing of patrols is one area both sides will verify. Secondly， there is a hotline at military headquarters level. Thirdly， there will be also tactical military exercises，” the professor said.
Economic cooperation
In a written interview with Chinese media before setting foot in China， Singh said India faces an unsustainable imbalance in its trade with China， and one of the ways of overcoming the deficit is for India to attract larger flows of foreign direct investment from China. He added that India welcomes Chinese investment.
During Singh’s trip to Beijing， China and India agreed to expedite talks on the establishment of industrial zones in India to provide platforms for development of enterprises from each country， a move observers suggested as India trying to attract more Chinese investment. “On the whole， setting up Chinese industrial zones in India is a new field for pragmatic bilateral cooperation，” Lan said.
What’s more， Lan claimed that the move benefits India， which is now at a transitional period and needs large amounts of external funding.
“China is rich in funds and has advantages in many industries such as manufacturing and infrastructure construction. Attracting more Chinese investment could not only make up for fund shortages， but also reshape the economic structure of India，” Lan said.
In addition， Sun， with the CASS， claimed that industrial zones could also help increase employment in India and cure its trade deficit with China.
Sun added that Chinese plants in such zones could employ Indian workers and sell their products directly to local markets to meet the demands of Indian people， which would help reduce imports from China. It could be a good way for India to balance trade with the latter.
During his May visit to India， the Chinese premier proposed exploring the possibility of a Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar （BCIM） economic corridor to connect the two countries via the southern Silk Road.
In the joint statement issued during Singh’s Beijing trip， both countries reiterated that they would continue to discuss the establishment of the economic corridor. China and India have each set up a study group on the corridor， while the first BCIM joint study group meeting is scheduled for December “to study specific programs” for the initiative.
Singh remarked in the written interview that“We believe that the BCIM economic corridor could potentially reinforce existing connectivity initiatives and we expressed our support of the idea during Premier Li’s visit to India.”
“The economic corridor would play a very important role in promoting regional integration as well as interconnectivity between China， South Asia as well as Southeast Asia，” said Professor Su Hao at the Beijing-based China Foreign Affairs University.
Swaran Singh， an expert on Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University， remarked in a story published in Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post that the economic corridor is conducive to stabilizing the regional situation and easing India’s concern of being contained by China.
Exchanges growing
Observers said that with the increase in exchanges between the two countries， mutual trust is deepening.
Lan said that， despite Indian media preferring sensational topics when reporting on China，“their coverage is more objective and positive during Singh’s trip to Beijing and on future bilateral ties，” which is possibly the result of recent China-India media forum in New Delhi， where participants called for more extensive and objective media reporting on each other for the sake of trust.
To further boost mutual understanding， both sides decided during Singh’s Beijing trip to encourage provincial and sub-regional exchanges， continue rooting exchanges for the next five years and celebrate 2014， the 60th anniversary of the announcement of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence， as the Year of India-China Friendly Exchanges.
According to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi， both countries will hold a series of cultural exchange events in 2014， including Spring Festival celebrations， film festivals and youth delegations.
The improvement in political trust， practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges cast light on the prospects for China-India relations. Singh noted during the joint media conference with Premier Li that “when India and China shake hands， the world notices. I believe that my visit to China has put our relations on a path of stable and speedy growth.”
For the 81-year-old Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh， the latest trip to Beijing would possibly be the last for him in visiting China as India’s government head. However， with nine agreements signed on not only economic cooperation， but also cultural exchanges as well as border security， it will surely contribute to his China legacy.
Lan Jianxue， a research fellow on South Asian studies at China Institute of International Studies （CIIS）， said top Chinese and Indian leaders have already had many formal and informal meetings earlier this year. Apart from the consideration of its domestic schedule， Singh’s latest trip to Beijing within the year itself shows the importance the two countries attach to each other and the continued warming of bilateral ties.
“What is worthy of noting is that it is the first time since 1954 that the Chinese premier and Indian prime minister have visited each other in the same year，” said Lan. Premier Li paid a visit to New Delhi in May， the first leg of his foreign trip after taking office in March.
Progress on border issue
Indian media can now feel more relaxed after the signing of the China-India Border Defense Cooperation Agreement （BDCA）， which confirmed the practice and experience of such issues in law. Before Singh’s China trip， what concerned Indian media most was undoubtedly the border question.
The BDCA， among the nine agreements reached during talks between the two governments， was top of the list. It is seen as an important step between the two Asian giants. The agreement includes regular joint military exercises， periodic meetings between the officers and clarification on doubtful activities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying remarked that signing the agreement reflected the will and resolution of both sides for a friendly and cooperative relationship.“This is of great significance for friendship and trust between both sides as well as for peace and stability on the border，” Hua said. Both Chinese and Indian observers believe it is a landmark deal that will help build mutual trust between the two countries. They agree a peaceful border will translate into better relations in other areas.
Lan said that border disputes could be seen as one of the core issues between the two countries， while the BDCA bears important implications for bilateral ties. It is helpful for both sides to manage and control emergent incidents and maintain peace and stability in the border regions.
“The agreement would help reduce instances of stand-off between defense forces from either side such as the ‘tent confrontation’in April，” Lan told Beijing Review.
Sun Shihai， a senior scholar on South Asia studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences （CASS）， noted that it is the first time the two sides have signed a border issue agreement in “cooperation.”
“It is so positive. Neither side wants the border issue to affect overall bilateral relations，” Sun said.
Dipankar Banerjee， an Indian expert on strategic affairs， was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying， “It was a very significant step taken by the two heads of government in furthering India-China relations. Our talks on the settlement of border issues between special representatives remain ongoing； patrols from both sides crossing boundaries sometimes create tension along the line of actual control. I expect that this border defense cooperation agreement would definitely help reduce such tensions in future.”
Professor Srikanth Kondapalli， a famous scholar on Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi， also told Xinhua News Agency that he believes the BDCA will stabilize border area disputes.
“For example， the trailing of patrols is one area both sides will verify. Secondly， there is a hotline at military headquarters level. Thirdly， there will be also tactical military exercises，” the professor said.
Economic cooperation
In a written interview with Chinese media before setting foot in China， Singh said India faces an unsustainable imbalance in its trade with China， and one of the ways of overcoming the deficit is for India to attract larger flows of foreign direct investment from China. He added that India welcomes Chinese investment.
During Singh’s trip to Beijing， China and India agreed to expedite talks on the establishment of industrial zones in India to provide platforms for development of enterprises from each country， a move observers suggested as India trying to attract more Chinese investment. “On the whole， setting up Chinese industrial zones in India is a new field for pragmatic bilateral cooperation，” Lan said.
What’s more， Lan claimed that the move benefits India， which is now at a transitional period and needs large amounts of external funding.
“China is rich in funds and has advantages in many industries such as manufacturing and infrastructure construction. Attracting more Chinese investment could not only make up for fund shortages， but also reshape the economic structure of India，” Lan said.
In addition， Sun， with the CASS， claimed that industrial zones could also help increase employment in India and cure its trade deficit with China.
Sun added that Chinese plants in such zones could employ Indian workers and sell their products directly to local markets to meet the demands of Indian people， which would help reduce imports from China. It could be a good way for India to balance trade with the latter.
During his May visit to India， the Chinese premier proposed exploring the possibility of a Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar （BCIM） economic corridor to connect the two countries via the southern Silk Road.
In the joint statement issued during Singh’s Beijing trip， both countries reiterated that they would continue to discuss the establishment of the economic corridor. China and India have each set up a study group on the corridor， while the first BCIM joint study group meeting is scheduled for December “to study specific programs” for the initiative.
Singh remarked in the written interview that“We believe that the BCIM economic corridor could potentially reinforce existing connectivity initiatives and we expressed our support of the idea during Premier Li’s visit to India.”
“The economic corridor would play a very important role in promoting regional integration as well as interconnectivity between China， South Asia as well as Southeast Asia，” said Professor Su Hao at the Beijing-based China Foreign Affairs University.
Swaran Singh， an expert on Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University， remarked in a story published in Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post that the economic corridor is conducive to stabilizing the regional situation and easing India’s concern of being contained by China.
Exchanges growing
Observers said that with the increase in exchanges between the two countries， mutual trust is deepening.
Lan said that， despite Indian media preferring sensational topics when reporting on China，“their coverage is more objective and positive during Singh’s trip to Beijing and on future bilateral ties，” which is possibly the result of recent China-India media forum in New Delhi， where participants called for more extensive and objective media reporting on each other for the sake of trust.
To further boost mutual understanding， both sides decided during Singh’s Beijing trip to encourage provincial and sub-regional exchanges， continue rooting exchanges for the next five years and celebrate 2014， the 60th anniversary of the announcement of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence， as the Year of India-China Friendly Exchanges.
According to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi， both countries will hold a series of cultural exchange events in 2014， including Spring Festival celebrations， film festivals and youth delegations.
The improvement in political trust， practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges cast light on the prospects for China-India relations. Singh noted during the joint media conference with Premier Li that “when India and China shake hands， the world notices. I believe that my visit to China has put our relations on a path of stable and speedy growth.”