China-India relationship stands at a new starting point, the two should view and approach relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and keep moving forward their partnership to benefit the two countries and peoples, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

He made the remarks in his speech titled "For Peace and Friendship, Win-Win Cooperation and Common Development" at a meeting held by the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Institute of Chinese Studies.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi delivers a speech titled "For Peace and Friendship, Win-Win Cooperation and Common Development" at a meeting held by the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Institute of Chinese Studies in New Delhi, India, September 9, 2008. [Xinhua Photo]

Yang said China and India are the two biggest developing countries in the world. He quoted Chinese President Hu Jintao as saying that China-India friendship not only serves the interest of both countries but also benefits Asia and the world at large.

He said there is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and India. "What we have are broad common interests. We are partners, not rivals. There is a lot that we can do together to further our friendship and cooperation. We should view and approach our relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and keep moving forward our partnership in the new century to the benefit of our two countries and peoples."

To this end, he proposed that efforts are needed to be stepped up in the five areas between the two countries: increase exchanges and enhance strategic mutual trust, boost economic cooperation and trade for win-win progress, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, strengthen cooperation in multilateral for a to uphold common interests, address each other's concerns and properly handle differences.

"Today, our relations stand at a new starting point. Without friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and India, there would be no development and prosperity of our respective countries, no harmony and rejuvenation of Asia, and no peace and progress of the world," he said.

Yang arrived in India last Sunday. He attended the inauguration ceremony of China's consulate-general in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, met and reached agreement with the West Bengal's Governor and Chief Minister on ways to deepen friendly and multi-faceted cooperation between China and West Bengal.

He called upon Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and held talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi Monday. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad agreement on ways to further implement the common understanding reached by leaders of both countries and deepen the China-India strategic and cooperative partnership as well as issues of mutual interest.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2008)