Better understanding urged in the development of Sino-Indian ties (5)

As the two largest countries in Asia, China and India need to develop a comprehensive and more rational mutual understanding. The development of bilateral ties will not only benefit Asia through greater prosperity, but also contribute to world stability, said Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of Global Times, on Aug. 22 at the inauguration of the First China-India Media Exchange Program held by Global Times Foundation.

The peoples of China and India do not know each other well enough, according to Hu Xijin. “We always feel distant from each other. Only when forced to discuss border and territory disputes do we remember that we are neighbors with a range of issues to address.”

Hu also referred to some of the misunderstandings between China and India: “India is more developed and prosperous than many Chinese people think. With the exception of a few slums, most Indian people live a good life. I was impressed by the level of happiness. On the other side, China is more open than many Indian people believe. Therefore China and India can learn a lot from each other and become better neighbors.”

“In fact, across many global issues like climate change, China and India share the same position,” said Sunjoy Joshi, president of the Observer Research Foundation of India. “China and India should cooperate better in dealing with global challenges. The development of these two countries has been almost simultaneous, which not only affects Asia but also the whole emerging market.”

“The media tend to describe the relationship between China and India as a zero-sum game between the dragon and the elephant - our two Asian countries are at the same development stage and face many similar opportunities and challenges,” pointed out Mao Xiaogang, director of the Opinion Department of Beijing Daily.

“I think this understanding is too superficial. As a supporter of China-India friendship, I hope the Chinese dragon and the Indian elephant will begin to move towards better ties and closer cooperation in place of disputes. I think this is also the thinking of many Chinese people,” he added.

“Today the people of China describe the country’s revival as 'the Chinese Dream'. I believe Indian people also have their own dream. In order that each of us can realize our dreams, China and India face the common task of developing their economies and improving standards of living, and we share a common need of a peaceful and stable external environment. This is where our joint strategies unite,” he concluded.