Chinese minister: Must break the ‘strange cycle’ of bilateral disputes

BEIJING: The simultaneous rise of India and China is the most important historical event in the 21st century, a senior Chinese minister has said, adding that the two should try to break the “strange circle” of ups and downs in bilateral ties instead of trying to control their differences.

As two large developing countries, India and China should seek common development, vice foreign minister Luo Zhaohui said at a high-profile bilateral think-tank held in Beijing.

“The simultaneous rise of China and India is the most important historical event in the 21st century,” Luo, who was previously the Chinese ambassador to India, said. He was speaking at the fourth India-china Thinktanks Forum in Beijing on November 28-29, organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs and the influential Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

“The two sides should go beyond the mode of controlling differences, break the strange circle of ups and downs in bilateral relations, enhance mutual trust, properly handle differences, seek common development, and explore a way for big developing countries to live peacefully and develop together,” Luo said.

Speaking at the forum, India’s deputy chief of mission, Acquino Vimal, brought up the issue counter-terrorism. “The importance of a concerted fight against terrorism is not lost between the two countries. There is much greater cooperation between the two countries in recognising the menace of terrorism and the need to resolutely act against training, financing and supporting terrorist groups throughout the world in a non-discriminate manner.

“We cannot have double standards in dealing with this issue and have to work with determination to ensure that we provide for our people a peaceful, secure and a prosperous world,” he said.