China, India build on relationship

Beijing and New Delhi reaffirmed on Sunday that developing diplomatic relations with the other side has always been a priority amid increasing global concern about the relationship between the two major developing countries.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj made the commitment during their talks in Beijing.

Swaraj, who arrived on Saturday, is paying a four-day visit to China, the first since she assumed office in May.

Her trip comes days after US President Barack Obama's visit to India, when the leaders of the two countries spent the first 45 minutes discussing China.

Wang said that as important forces in the multi-polarization of the world, both China and India have put neighborhood diplomacy high on their agenda. Beijing, for its part, values the established strategic partnership with New Delhi.

Beijing invited India Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit China this year as part of continued efforts to boost bilateral high-level visits after President Xi Jinping's visit to India in September, the foreign minister said.

He called on both sides to promote cooperation in key areas such as railways and industrial parks, and keeping close communication on major international issues. Wang also noted that China is willing to work with India to push forward border negotiations to maintain regional peace and stability.

Swaraj said India attaches high importance to its relationship with China, and Modi is also looking forward to visiting China this year as early as possible.

The Indian foreign minister hopes that her visit this time could send out a positive message of a friendly and cooperative Sino-Indian relationship.

Swaraj's trip was accompanied by the newly appointed Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar.

It is Jaishankar's first foreign visit since he was appointed three days ago. He was India's ambassador to China for more than four years before he was appointed ambassador to the US in 2013. On Monday, Swaraj will join her Chinese and Russian counterparts at the 13th trilateral meeting of foreign ministers.