India and China should work on common grounds which are far more significant than the differences, quoted departing Chinese ambassador to India, Sun Weidong. He further said that both countries need to respect each other’s political system without interfering much with it.
“China and India are important neighbours…it is only natural for China and India to have some differences. The key is how to handle the differences. We should be aware that the common interests of the two countries are greater than differences.” stated Weidong in his farewell remarks posted on a Chinese website.
“The two countries need to respect each other’s political systems and development paths, and uphold the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs,” he further added.
Emphasizing the significance of bettering communication, he said that China had simplified the process of visa application for the Indians. China also resumed the students’ visa application process, especially for those who were going for long-term study, and also for other purposes as well.
He said that up to now, about 1800 visas have been issued to Indian students and he expected more exchange of people visits in future.
Talking about the political situation in China, Sun talked about the 20th National Congress of CCP. He said that the paths of the government, its goals and the process of achieving them were made clear in Congress. “Comrade Xi Jinping was elected the general secretary …which is the call of the times, the choice of history, and the aspiration of the people“, he further added.
Improved trade between Indo China
Remembering the time he took charge in 2019, Sun said that he witnessed the business trade addition of $120bn in his tenure. Both countries also faced a few ups and downs during this his tenure as a Chinese ambassador to India, especially Galwan valley incident. “I believe that, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of our two countries and with the joint efforts of both sides, the bilateral relations will eventually have the clouds cleared and return to the right track,” he said on border situation.
Referring to Rabindranath Tagore, Weidong quoted him saying that the Eastern world can neither borrow the western minds nor temperament so we need to discover our own way.
Mr Sun also emphasized that Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Modi have reached an important consensus, Sun maintained that there was enough room for Sino-India friendship irrespective of the differences ” Let us look up at the blue sky, keep our feet on the earth, have faith in our hearts, have direction in our eyes, and have warmth in our hands. Through joint efforts of both sides, we can bring China-India relations back on the right track.” he concluded.
