Beijing, November 18th—Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a delegation of friendly personages from India.

Sun briefed on the spirit of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the CPC's foreign exchanges, stating that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China-India relations have improved. China and India are both large developing countries and emerging economies with populations exceeding one billion, and both are at a crucial stage of development and revitalization. Both countries should strengthen exchanges and communication, focus on development, and become good-neighborly, friendly, and mutually beneficial partners. China is willing to work with Indian political parties, think tanks, media, universities, and other sectors of society to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, continuously deepen understanding and mutual trust, and contribute to the sustained, healthy, and stable development of China-India relations. 

The Indian side highly appreciated China's development achievements and the positive progress made in improving bilateral relations. They said that as two ancient civilizations and neighboring major countries, India and China should be development opportunities and partners for each other, not competitors. They expected China's 15th Five-Year Plan to bring new opportunities for India-China cooperation. India is willing to dedicate itself to promoting India-China exchanges and cooperation in various fields, enhancing mutual understanding and correct perceptions, and contributing to the continued improvement of bilateral relations.