Turning-point or not: Chinese media has it all covered

The state-run Chinese media has covered Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to New Delhi with a focus on expanding trade and friendly cooperation, more than strategic concerns. HT reports.

The state-run Chinese media has covered Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to New Delhi with a focus on expanding trade and friendly cooperation, more than strategic concerns.

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“Despite lingering disputes, China is trying its best to seek a win-win solution with India,’’ an analyst told China Daily. “Wen’s large delegation is testament to that.’’

Leading strategist Rong Ying wrote in the paper not a single shot had been fired across the border for two decades. “For the first time in a century, the course of history will be defined by interaction between the world’s two most populated countries… In today’s world, China and India’s relationships with a third party will never be completely independent of each other. The challenge for... both countries is to shape the debate for steady development.”

On Thursday, Wen called India ‘a great neighbour.’ But the nationalist Global Times could not resist taking a swipe at the Indian development model. “The title of biggest democratic nation looks like a glass of red wine enjoyed together by India and the West… With a huge population and much work left to be done in developing the economy, perhaps India won’t get too drunk to act superior in front of China, because such superiority will delight India much less than it delights the West.”

Pakistan envoy Masood Khan told the Global Times Pakistan expects China to play a bigger role in facilitating a dialogues with India. “We hope China will, over time, be able to persuade India to have sustainable dialogues with Pakistan ...”