IMPHAL, November 28: Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng said co-operation between New Delhi and Beijing cannot cover everything but we are working actively to promote regional co-operation.
If we are talking of co-operation with a small country, maybe links between the two capitals would have been enough, Yucheng said, elaborating further that both India and China are large populous countries with lots of provinces and States.
When we talk of cooperation with large countries like India, State-level as well as city level co-operations are also crucial, he added.
Yucheng was addressing the local media this morning at the Classic Grande.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China in May this year the two countries had established a “local leaders’ forum” which is held annually attended by leaders from both sides, he said continuing that such direct interactions and co-operations are very effective.
The provinces and States in China and India can boost a deeper mutual understanding and co-operation between the two countries, Yucheng added.
Every year there are a lot of exchanges of local leaders of the two countries, he added. This year alone more than 20 Chinese Governors and Mayors have already visited India and more than four or five from India have visited China, he said pointing out that the Chief Minister of Manipur had led a government delegation to China in 2013.
Replying to a query on apprehensions in the region regarding a major diversion of the Brahmaputra River water, which is known as the Tsangpo River in Tibet, in China, and if there is any plan of China to construct a dam on the river, he said we pay a lot of attention to ecological protection on the rivers.
Actually between India and China, we have an effective mechanism for exchange of co-operation with regards to cross-border rivers, he said.
So if there is any question about environmental protection or construction on the rivers it can be properly handled through these bilateral mechanisms for exchange of co-operation, he said evading a direct reply.
Not long ago the Vice President of China visited India. During his visit the two sides extended an agreement for China to provide India with flood seasoned hydrological data of cross-border rivers, he said.
This move of goodwill from the Chinese side can help India better make use of the river resources, he added.
Regarding a query on the issues regarding the McMahon Line and if there are any plans of China to discuss the issue and settle it, Yucheng said “The question is a sensitive and complex issue between India and China.”
In the past we came across some problems but now the leaders of both countries are very visionary, he added.
They have realized that it is important to keep in mind the overall interest of India-China relations and handle the boundary question through diplomatic channels carefully and properly, he said.
We have a number of mechanisms for discussion regarding boundary questions, he told the media adding that at the same time while we are looking for ways to resolve this boundary questions, we are working hard to maintain peace and stability in border areas.
Boundary question is different from country to country. Experiences of resolving boundary equations of other countries may not be apply to resolve the boundary equation of our two countries, he said.
“To resolve the China-India boundary question, we need to proceed from the reality of the boundary between our two countries. But I am confident that the two ancient civilizations, China and India have every wisdom and capability to find out the solution.”
Despite the differences not even a single bullet was fired at the border areas over the past several decades, he added. This shows that we have successfully and effectively manage to bring stability in the border areas, he said.
The Chinese Ambassador to India had also shared his experiences during his four-day stay in Manipur
He shared how he was impressed by the beauty of Loktak Lake, culture and traditions of various communities of the State, the polo game, the people and Manipur as a whole.
Expressing gratitude to the State Government and the Chief Minister of Manipur for inviting him to the Sangai festival, he said “As far as I know I may be the very first Chinese ambassador to India and indeed the first diplomat from the Chinese Embassy in India to ever visit Manipur.”
“Actually before we came here we were quite curious because the North East India is a place that we have never set foot on that is why I spend more time in Manipur than many other places in India.”
Yucheng further expressed his gratitude to the Manipur Labour and Employment minister I Hemochandra for showing him around the State.
He said he had met the Chief Minister yesterday and had a friendly and in-depth discussion on a lot of grounds including Manipur’s economic and social development, cultural commonalities and historical links with China, the bright prospect of our co-operation as well as PCIM economic corridor that runs through Manipur.
He said he was impressed by the folk culture and martial arts performances during the Sangai Festival.
