The rise of China and India is believed to be the most remarkable phenomenon of the 21st century. The international community admires their achievement, especially their economic resilience and the great potential they have showed during the global financial crisis.
China, India and other emerging economies have strengthened their communication and coordination on a number of major international issues such as climate change, reform of the international financial system and the Doha Round of trade talks. They have strived to give a greater voice to developing countries at international forums, too.
Sino-Indian ties continue to develop at a smooth pace. The two countries have forged a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity, and established strategies to further deepen relations for mutual benefit.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. The two countries have reached common ground on living, working and prospering together, and their bilateral relations have reached a new starting point for progress.
But the two countries also face some problems despite focusing their efforts on promoting development, strengthening cooperation and deepening bilateral ties. For example, some Indian media outlets raised a hue and cry over so-called "border invasion" by China last year and the recent suspension of bilateral military exchanges.
Some Western countries and media are trying to use this to drive a wedge between the two neighbors. It seems they want to see Sino-Indian ties plunge into chaos. What do they expect to gain from this?
As China and India both have emerged as major players on the global stage today, their relations are not limited to the bilateral sphere alone; they have regional and global significance too. From the global perspective, the peaceful development of their ties has helped promote a multi-polar world and the globalization process. It has great importance in world development, too.
The peaceful Sino-Indian development has not only helped push Asia's growth and prosperity, but also given greater voice to the continents in the international community, resulting in the gradual shift of global economic and political centerpiece from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Obviously, peaceful coexistence has been the precondition for the rise of China and India and created the hope of the arrival of the "Asia century". Research scholars on China-India ties should know that the two have more interests than differences in common.
First, the two countries are committed to developing their economies and improving their peoples' livelihood, for which a peaceful and stable international and neighboring environment is essential. Given their fundamental interests, peaceful co-existence and common development are the best choice for the two countries.
Second, strengthening economic and trade cooperation could give full play to complementary advantages of the two countries and achieve mutually beneficial results. Sino-Indian bilateral trade volume may hit $60 billion this year, and China is expected to become India's largest trade partner.