‘India, China not competitors’

India and China are partners rather than competitors, said Beijing on Tuesday, ahead of Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit from December 15-17.

India and China are partners rather than competitors, said Beijing on Tuesday, ahead of Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit from December 15-17.

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Responding to a media query on Wen’s visit and how China views India-US relations, foreign ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said that China is ‘open to and supports’ the conduct of friendly relations between countries. China would like to work with India to expand cooperation and promote bilateral relations, she said.

China is silent on the expectations from Wen’s visit and the potential agreements that may be signed. There is however, an attempt to improve the mood in bilateral ties as tensions with India over China’s Kashmir policy and issue of stapled visas remain unresolved.