India, China Should Not Allow Boundary Dispute To Define Ties: Chinese Envoy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong emphasized that despite periodic challenges, China-India relations have been "primarily characterized by cooperative friendship" and highlighted the importance of enhancing dialogue, commerce, and bilateral exchanges.

"This year commemorates the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India. Throughout these 75 years, despite experiencing fluctuations, the relationship has been predominantly defined by amicable cooperation. Recently, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a productive meeting in Tianjin, elevating China-India relations to a new stage of improvement," Xu stated during a reception celebrating the 76th anniversary of the People's Republic of China's founding.

"We are committed to collaborating with India to follow the guidance provided by important mutual understandings between our leaders, and to advance China-India relations along a path of stable and sound development," he further remarked.

Xu identified four key priorities for bilateral relations. "First, we should maintain a strategic perspective. As two ancient civilizations and major developing nations, the China-India relationship extends beyond bilateral boundaries and carries global strategic significance."

"Second, we should enhance friendly cooperation. Economic and trade collaboration between China and India continues to grow and possesses tremendous potential. From January through August this year, bilateral goods trade increased by 10.4% year-on-year, reaching 102 billion USD," he noted.

Xu continued, "China has reinstated the pilgrimage for Indian devotees to Tibet's sacred mountain and holy lake. More than 700 official pilgrims and nearly 20,000 private pilgrims have fulfilled their lifelong aspirations this year. By September 22nd, Chinese diplomatic missions in India have issued over 265,000 visas to Indian citizens. We are eager to promote friendly exchanges with India across all levels and sectors, and to further strengthen mutual understanding and friendship."

"Third, we should sustain dialogue and communication. Addressing differences through dialogue has consistently been crucial for advancing China-India relations. We should not permit the historical boundary question to characterize contemporary China-India relations, nor allow specific disagreements to impact comprehensive bilateral cooperation," Xu emphasized.

"Fourth, we should enhance multilateral coordination. Eighty years ago, China and India shared a history of resisting fascism and struggling for national independence and liberation. Eight decades later, it remains increasingly vital that we carry forward the great spirit forged during the War of Resistance, firmly oppose hegemony, power politics, and any form of tariff and trade wars, collectively defend the Global South's common interests, and build a community with a shared future for humanity," he added.

Contextualizing India's relationship within China's broader achievements, Xu stated, "Over 76 years, the Communist Party of China has continuously strengthened itself through self-reform, united and guided the Chinese people to achieve a remarkable transformation from standing up and becoming prosperous to growing strong, and embarked on a new journey advancing the great national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization."

"China has maintained steady economic growth, achieving a better-than-expected 5.3% GDP increase in 2024's first half while contributing approximately 30% to global growth. China has made continual breakthroughs in innovation, with its green energy and advanced manufacturing technologies now leading worldwide. Chinese electric vehicles serve millions of households," he observed.

Xu also underscored China's poverty reduction efforts and opening-up policies. "China has achieved remarkable progress in poverty alleviation, elevating nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty in the past decade and meeting the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development's poverty reduction target a decade ahead of schedule. In 2025's first half, over 30,000 new foreign-invested companies were established in China, representing an 11.7% year-on-year increase."

He added, "Major trade events including the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the Canton Fair, and the China International Import Expo are being held consecutively, offering enhanced cooperation opportunities for countries worldwide."

Regarding multilateralism, Xu remarked, "Throughout these 76 years, China has demonstrated responsibility as a major nation through concrete actions, making significant contributions to global peace and development. Recently, China hosted the most comprehensive and successful Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit to date. Leaders from 23 countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and 10 heads of international organizations gathered in Tianjin to jointly advance cooperation and promote common development."

"At the summit, President Xi Jinping formally proposed the Global Governance Initiative, advocating for sovereign equality, international rule of law adherence, multilateralism practice, a people-centered approach, and focus on concrete actions, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to address global governance deficits," he said.

In conclusion, Xu stated, "With the monsoon season nearly behind us, we prepare to embrace the busy Rabi sowing season. Let us collaborate diligently to cultivate more achievements in our friendly relations and deliver greater benefits to both countries and peoples. To the 76th anniversary of the People's Republic of China's founding, to friendship and cooperation between China and India!"