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China and India are "still lacking in mutual understanding": Li

Ramananda Sengupta in Delhi

The old themes of multipolarity and globalisation, so favoured by China's rulers, surfaced in the only speech Li Peng will make in India during his week-long visit.

"In today's world, there are two prominent trends: one is gradual multi-polarisation in the international political pattern and the other is increasing globalisation of the world economy." Li told guests at Delhi's India International Centre on Saturday morning.

But while multi-polarity serves "world peace stability and democracy," globalisation, though "an unavoidable reality in the world today," was a double edged sword, the Chinese leader said. While it offered opportunities to developing nations to speed up their economic growth, "the gap between the rich and the poor is widening in the global context."

The international community, Li added, "should work hard to ensure that globalisation leads to a balanced stable and sustainable development of the world economy."

Li, on his second trip to India, appeared confident and relaxed, flanked by Chinese Ambassador Zhou Gang and IIC president Kapila Vatyasan on his right and Rajya Sabha Deputy Speaker Najma Heptullah, his wife Zhu Lin, China standing committee vice-chairiman Buhe, and IIC director former home secretary N N Vohra on his left. In the audience were the capital's elite, members of Li's entourage and, of course, India's Ambassador to China Shiv Shankar Menon.

"As history turns a new page," the chairman of China's standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said, "people around the world are reviewing the past and looking to the future."

Li pointed that the five principles or Panchsheel -- mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence -- endorsed by Nehru and Zhou Enlai 47 years ago were still valid.

"This is an evergreen tree growing out of Oriental civilisation and the spirit of the times," he said. In fact, these principles "will also serve as an important foundation for a new international political and economic order."

Li then briefed the rapt audience on some "basic points of China’s policy towards India."

First, he stressed that Beijing had "never taken India as a threat" and that it was keen to maintain friendly ties.

Second, "we wish to expand trade and economic co-operation with India. Although there has been much headway, there is a huge potential yet to be tapped."

Third, "we stand ready to strengthen co-operation with India in international affairs."

Fourth, admitting that China and India are "still lacking in mutual understanding" he said that to achieve this "is a pressing task in our bilateral relations. While not shying away from the problems and differences between us, we hope that far sighted statesmen of our two countries will demonstrate courage and will make efforts to resolve these problems and differences."

He also felt that "problems of this kind or another, including those left over from history, should not become impediments to the growth of our bilateral relationship."

Ministry of external affairs officials are quick to warn against expecting much from Li's trip, explaining that it is "just a high level political visit" and that all agreements and treaties would be signed after the Joint Working Group and other bilateral associations "have done their jobs." But if Li's visit was meant to establish and encourage goodwill and bon homie between the two nations, then he has been more than successful.

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