Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Bangalore Saturday on the final leg of his week-long South Asia tour covering Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India.
   
In a written statement delivered at the airport, Wen said China and India are next-door neighbors with friendly exchanges dating back to ancient times, and the bilateral relations have shown a positive momentum of all-round development since the dawn of the 21st century.
   
"As the world's two major developing countries, China and India will exert positive influence on peace and development in Asia and the world when we live in peace, deepen mutual trust and expand cooperation," he said.
   
Wen noted that the Chinese government attaches importance to developing good-neighborly relations and friendly cooperation with India and stands ready to work with India to handle the bilateral ties from a strategic perspective.
   
The premier stressed that the two sides should "bear in mind the larger picture, expand exchanges and cooperation in all areas, and properly settle questions left over from history."
   
The purpose of Wen's visit is to enhance China-India friendship, expand mutually-beneficial cooperation and promote bilateral relations. He was expected to exchange views with the Indian leaders on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.
   
"I hope and believe my visit will inject fresh vigor and vitality into relations between China and India," he said.
   
Capital of South India's Karnataka state, Bangalore is reputed as "India's Silicon Valley" for its booming information technology sector.
   
The Chinese premier was expected to stress the importance of Sino-Indian exchange and cooperation in science and technology during his stay in Bangalore. He will travel to New Delhi Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2005)