Senior legislator hopes youth exchanges cement Sino-Indian partnership

Senior legislator Wang Zhaoguo said Monday he hoped that youth exchanges between China and India would promote bilateral ties.

Wang Zhaoguo (R), member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, meets with an Indian youth delegation headed by Minister of State of Youth Affairs and Sports Arun Yadav, in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

Wang, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, made the remarks as he met with an Indian youth delegation headed by Minister of State of Youth Affairs and Sports Arun Yadav.

Wang said the leaders of China and India had jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence since forging diplomatic ties. History had proven that the Sino-Indian friendship was in line with the strategic interests of both nations and helped regional and world peace, he said.

"Through the joint efforts of China and India, youth exchanges are developing and becoming larger, broader and deeper," said Wang.

Yadav said the delegation would bring back the Chinese people's friendship and contribute to promoting friendly relations among the youth.

The delegation, consisting of 100 Indian young government officials, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, social workers and college students, will visit Beijing as well as Sichuan and Guangdong provinces.

The visit is part of an exchange program proposed by Chinese President Hu Jintao during his visit to India in November 2006. Hu proposed to invite 500 Indian young people to visit China within five years.