China and India should seize the current favorable opportunity to further promote bilateral relations, said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).  

Jia, who is in New Delhi for an official goodwill visit to India at the invitation of Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, made the remarks here Monday at a meeting with Shekhawat.

He said the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries has made clear the directions for the development of bilateral relations and injected new vigor into Sino-Indian relations.

Jia noted that people-to-people exchanges are conducive to expanding the social basis for friendly cooperation, and China is ready to conduct cooperation with India in such fields as culture, education and tourism.

He went on to say that the CPPCC is committed to maintaining world peace and promoting common development, strengthening friendly exchanges and cooperation with all countries in the world, and enhancing friendship between different peoples.

The CPPCC will strengthen contacts and friendly exchanges with Indian institutions including the Rajya Sabha so as to play a positive role in promoting the Sino-Indian friendship, noted Jia.

Shekhawat said the Indian people are glad to see the continuous improvement of bilateral relations in recent years and the Rajya Sabha of India hopes that both sides will strengthen people-to-people exchanges and enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, education and culture.

He recalled his visit to China in 2001 and said China's successful experience is worth learning from by India.

He expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the CPPCC for improving India-China relations.

The Indian parliament will work with the NPC and the CPPCC to promote the overall development of bilateral relations, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2003)