China-India boundary ‘legacy’ should not define relations, Beijing envoy says
Ambassador Xu Feihong calls on both sides to expand cooperation and reject trade wars amid thaw between Asian giants
Beijing and New Delhi should maintain a long-term strategic vision and make sure their border row does not define relations or hinder cooperation, China’s top envoy to India said at an event marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Xu stressed the importance of resolving differences through dialogue. “We should … ensure that the boundary issue – a legacy of history – does not define the overall relationship between China and India, nor should individual differences impede comprehensive cooperation,” he said.
The two countries should maintain a long-term strategic vision and seek peaceful coexistence in ties that have “long transcended the bilateral scope”, Xu said, adding they should “stand tall and see far, and plan with a long-term perspective”.
The top envoy said the two neighbours should strengthen multilateral cooperation and deepen friendly exchanges “at all levels and across various fields”.
The speech comes as both countries face stiff US tariffs and engage in separate negotiations with the United States.
India this week offered to buy more oil and gas from the US, an effort aimed at helping to lower the 50 per cent tariffs Washington imposed due to Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.