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CHINA PERCIEVES INDIA AS PARTNER, NOT COMPETITOR :
HENAN PROVINCE GOVERNOR
There is a distinct change of perception in China as far as India is concerned and now Beijing considers New Delhi as a partner and not as a competitor. The visiting Henan Province Governor, Mr Li Chengyu stated this, while addressing industry
representatives at a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), here today. Mr Chengyu pointed out that presently several Indian companies had invested in China in agricultural machinery industry, which was a pointer to the changing perception towards India.
The visiting dignitary said that the pillar industries of Henan were electronic machinery, chemical industry, foodstuff industry, light and textile industries, and building material industry, and there was tremendous potential for mutual cooperation in these sectors.
Li Chengyu, who is in India at the invitation of Ministry of External Affairs, and leading a eight-member trade and economic delegation, will be visiting several Indian cities, including Bangalore, and said that such regular visits will go a long way in establishing a mutually healthy relationship.
Inviting Indian businesses to invest in Henan, he said that Henan was one of the fastest growing and vibrant economies of China, he said that Henan was absolutely safe for investment and there was a comprehensive industrial system in place to protect foreign investors.
Earlier, Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, President CII, in his welcome address, said that there was tremendous opportunities for mutual trade between India and China and added that it was high time both the countries worked together in third countries.
He said that both India and China enjoy complementarities in trade as also in manufacturing, therefore, both the countries are well placed to take advantage of each other. Mr Munjal pointed out that bio-technology, healthcare, software and financial sectors were the areas where India and China could leverage each other's strength and grow as the biggest economies of the world. He said that such regular visits should pave the way for better perception of each other and more flourishing trade.
He outlined CII’s three-point agenda to enhance trade with China, by strengthening the partnership through nodal agencies in China and through CII’s office; to organise CII’s “Made in India” show in December this year; and also by encouraging more state and provincial partnerships and sectoral delegations.
New Delhi
August 31, 2004
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