“The only choice between dragon and Elephant”: China on Modi’s “positive” remarks | World News
China welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on China-India relations on Monday, emphasizing that dialogue is disharmonious. Beijing said cooperation between the two countries is the only way to succeed each other.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning acknowledged Modi’s statement in a media briefing: “China points out Prime Minister Modi’s recent positive statement on China’s relations and appreciates the relationship.”
She stressed the importance of Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting in Kazan, Russia, and pointed out that it provided a strategic direction for improving bilateral relations. Mao said: “Both sides have carefully followed an important common understanding, strengthened exchanges and achieved positive results.”
Mao refers to the historical relationship between the two countries, “In more than 2,000 years of interaction, the two countries have maintained friendly exchanges and learned from each other, which will contribute to the achievements of civilization and the progress of mankind.”
Modi commented in an interview with US podcast Lex Fridman, who said that in discussions with XI, normal circumstances returned to the India-China border to ease tensions in the 2020 Ladakh conflict. “Our focus is to make sure that these differences do not turn into controversy. This is something we actively work on. We emphasize dialogue because only through dialogue can we establish stable cooperative relations, which is the best interest of both countries.”
Mao reiterated China’s position on the importance of cooperation and pointed out that both countries have a responsibility to accelerate development and support each other’s success. “This provides a fundamental benefit to the basic interests of more than 2.8 billion people, meets regional aspirations and aligns with increasingly powerful historical trends in the global south, thus promoting world peace,” she said.
She responded to a recent comment from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, emphasizing that China and India should serve as mutual growth partners. Mao added: “The ballet between the dragon and the elephant is the only choice for both sides.”
China has expressed willingness to work with India to implement key agreements between the two leaders and strengthen diplomatic ties, especially when both countries mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Mao said: “China is ready to improve bilateral relations on the track of stable and reasonable development.”
Modi also stressed the deep historical relationship between India and China, emphasizing their shared past when more than 50% of global GDP. “Our cooperation is not only mutually beneficial, but is also essential for global peace and prosperity,” he said.
(with PTI input)
