China and India, the two biggest nations in Asia, should pose no threat to each other, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen said yesterday when meeting Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh.

Qian pointed out that both countries, no matter what the issue might be, should not adopt a confrontational approach.

Singh arrived in Beijing yesterday morning on the first direct flight between the world's two most populous countries.

Direct flights between China and India started on Thursday, with the first plane leaving Beijing for New Delhi and returning to Beijing yesterday morning.

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan also held a meeting with Singh yesterday.

Qian ascribed great significance to the inauguration of direct flights, saying they will not only facilitate exchanges between the two peoples but also promote mutually beneficial co-operation between the enterprises of the two countries.

Qian said Indian leaders had expressed on many occasions that India does not regard China as a threat to India and China also does not see India as a threat, noting that, as developing countries, both China and India are faced with the heavy task of developing their economies.

Both countries should concentrate on co-operation and co-ordination in regional and international affairs to maintain peace and stability in the region, Qian said.

(China Daily March 30, 2002)