Minister of the State Council Information Office Wang Chen delivered opening remarks at the China-India Development Forum today in Beijing.

"The two countries have conducted very good cooperation in bilateral, regional and international affairs," Wang said, noting that cultural exchanges and trade between them date back to ancient times. Exchanges and contacts in the fields of economy and trade, parliament, political party, youth, humanities, and media are also active.

"These are an important contribution to regional and world peace and development."

The forum, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of Sino-Indian diplomatic relations, included discussion topics on developing bilateral relations, the media's role in bilateral ties, economic exchanges and mutual benefits.

Participants included S. Jaishankar, Indian ambassador to China; Liu Shuqing, president of India-China Eminent Persons Group; Zhou Gang, former Chinese ambassador to India and secretary of India-China Eminent Persons Group; and almost 100 guests from economic, business and media circles.

Wang also said it is the two countries' mission to cooperate together and build a future. The development of the bilateral ties between the two countries will increase the strength of developing countries, improve the peace and development in the regions and the world, and create more opportunities for the two countries to reach mutual benefit, he said.

Wang said he hoped that Chinese and Indian media will enhance communication in covering stories on exchange between the two countries, saying they should push forward mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries through objective and thorough reporting.

Also addressing the forum, Zhou Mingwei, president of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), said that both China and India have an old and brilliant culture and have had frequent changes and cooperation since the ancient times. In 2010, the two sides plan to organize a series of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic relations, which no doubt will encourage better development of bilateral ties.

To deepen understanding between the two countries and promote the establishment of a regular exchange, the China-India Development Forum was held with the theme "India and China: Building the Future Together." It was sponsored by China International Publishing Group and organized by China Internet Information Center and China Development Gateway.

(China.org.cn March 30, 2010)