Beijing, April 21
Defence Minister George Fernandes today began an important visit to China with Premier Wen Jiabao saying that India and China should do more to cement their friendly ties.“Our two big countries should always be friendly with each other from generation to generation,” Mr Wen said during a meeting here with Mr Fernandes at the leafy Zhongnanhai Chinese leadership compound.
Mr Fernandes is the first Indian leader to meet China’s new generation of Communist Party and government leaders, who took charge of the party and the government in November last and in March this year.
While warmly welcoming Mr Fernandes to China on his first-ever visit, Mr Wen pointed out that China and India had enjoyed friendly cooperation and contacts since-second century BC and felt that the two countries needed to do more to strengthen their ties.
Earlier in the morning, Mr Fernandes, attired in a traditional ‘bandh-gala’, inspected an impressive guard of honour presented by the smartly-turned out tri-service PLA marching contingent of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
After the ceremonial welcome, Mr Fernandes held official talks with his Chinese counterpart, Gen Cao Gangchuan.
During the talks, General Gangchuan said the armed forces of China and India had enhanced mutual trust and understanding, and also maintained stability in the border area, thanks to exchanges of visits over the past few years.
Mr Fernandes said India and China were “good” neighbours, as members of the international anti-terrorism alliance, the two nations had cooperated well.
As the two countries confronted the same challenges in national security, the two militaries should further cooperation and exchanges, he said.
General Gangchuan who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and state councillor, said the two nations had established and developed a constructive and cooperative friendship on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence.
“China is willing to work with India for regional peace and stability”, he said, adding that the Chinese military was willing to further the exchanges for a long-term stable and friendly cooperative relationship based on mutual trust.
Mr Fernandes also met Gen Guo Boxiong, another Vice-Chairman of the CMC.
Mr Fernandes would also call on the Chairman of the Central Military Commission and former President Jiang Zemin and Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.
PTI
