China, India should work to deepen mutual trust: Envoy

Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yan has said China and India face similar challenges and have every reason to work together to deepen "mutual trust, promote friendship and expand cooperation."

Terming as "best" the current status of China-India relationship, the 62-year Chinese envoy, who is leaving in the middle of next month after a stint of nearly five years, said, "My assignment in India is very rewarding and memorable...I will cherish this fond memory for ever."

Zhang, who was interacting with the guests at a reception to mark the National Day of China on Monday, also recalled the recent top-level visits between the leaders of the two countries, including Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit here earlier this year for BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Summit.

"I am happy to see that China-India relations are developing in a robust and all round manner. Active high level interactions have become a salient feature of our bilateral relations," he said.

He also noted that China and India have undertaken a series of actions to deepen their strategic partnership relations. "Economic cooperation is growing steadily. Both sides are working towards the goal of achieving a bilateral trade of $100 billion by the year 2015," he said.

"As two fast emerging economies, China and India share a lot of commonalities and face similar challenges. We have every reason to work together to deepen mutual trust, promote friendship and expand cooperation, so as to bring tangible benefits to our peoples, and make fresh contribution to the peace and prosperity of the world," Zhang said.

Image: Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan

Photograph courtesy: Chinese embassy website