Xi Jinping meets visiting Indian PM in Xi'an
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E-mail CNTV, May 15, 2015
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in China on a highly anticipated three-day visit. He met President Xi Jinping after touching down in Xi'an - the capital of the Chinese president's home province. Modi has been keen to talk up the potential for a "new milestone" in bilateral relations. Our reporter Su Yuting looks at what that means, and brings us the latest on the meeting between the two leaders.
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Xi Jinping meets visiting Indian PM in Xi'an. |
Narendra Modi arrives in ancient Xi'an, famous for its Terracotta warriors.
This was the handshake that it's hoped will mark a new era of cooperation between two ancient civilisations.
In what's being seen as a reciprocal gesture, the Indian Prime Minister was given a tour of Xi'an - capital of President Xi's home province of Shaanxi.
It follows The Chinese President's visit to India last year, when he toured Modi's home state of Gujarat.
Both leaders spoke of the symbolism of the location.
"This is the first time that I've hosted a foreign leader here in my home town. I am very pleased to welcome you here and I hope you enjoy your visit. Last year when I visited India, we reached significant agreements on boosting our strategic cooperative partnership. Frequent high level exchanges between our two countries have contributed a lot to that," Xi said.
"I have visited the Terracota Warriors and Daxingshan Temple. I thank President Xi for his invitation. My visit is aimed at further consolidating the ties that our two civilizations have shared over thousands of years," Modi said.
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Xi Jinping meets visiting Indian PM in Xi'an. |
Following their meeting, President Xi took Mr Modi for a tour of the iconic Wild Goose Pagoda.
Built in the 6th century, it honors the famous Buddhist monk Xuan Zang, who popularized Buddhism in China, after travelling to India some 2000 years ago.
Xi'an marks the eastern end of the ancient Silk Road, which connected China, India, South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia through to Europe.
Amid a welcoming ceremony that portrayed some of that history, many were wondering whether Narendra Modi is considering offering more support to China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road.
President Xi Jinping's meeting with the Indian Prime Minister in his hometown of Xi'an is a rare instance of personal diplomacy, as top Chinese leaders rarely travel outside of Beijing to meet foreign guests on official visits. The gesture shows the importance that China attaches to closer ties with India. It is expected, that both Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi will join hands to move beyond the symbolism and take substantial steps to seal a new spirit of cooperation.
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