2010 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic relations.

The China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and the China-India Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) are to host the China-India Development Forum on this great occasion in Beijing in April.

CIPG entrusted its subsidiary -- China Internet Information Center (CIIC) to organize the forum.

Founded in January 1949, CIPG is China's oldest and biggest publications body aimed at overseas audiences. Over the past 60 years, it has endeavored to present the real China to India through books, magazines, and more recently, websites, to deepen understanding and communication between the two countries.

EPG was founded in accordance with the consensus reached by then Chinese President H.E. Jiang Zemin and then India President H.E. Shri K.R. Narayanan during the latter's visit to China in May 2000. EPG serves as a consultative body of the two governments and comprises well-known people from politics, economics & trade, science & technology, culture and media of both countries.

It is dedicated to contributing ideas and exerting efforts for friendly cooperation between China and India and has become an important part of the exchanges. It was officially launched in 2001 and six meetings have been held so far

The current Chairman of EPG from the Chinese side is former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Mr. Liu Shuqing while the EPG Chairman from the Indian side is former Indian Ambassador to China Shri. C.V. Ranganathan.

CIIC is a state news website, publishing with the support of both the State Council Information Office and CIPG. Set up in 1997, it is the only online news and information platform that provides a service in 10 languages; English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Korean and Esperanto.

(China Development Gateway, December 1, 2009)