Xi voices hope for stronger BRICS, more solid bilateral ties (2)

INDIA PARTNER OF CHINA, NOT RIVAL

"Judging from either bilateral, regional or global perspective, China and India are long-lasting strategic and cooperative partners, rather than rivals," Xi said Monday when meeting Indian Prime Minister Modi here.

"If the two countries speak in one voice, the whole world will attentively listen; if the two countries join hand in hand, the whole world will closely watch," Xi said.

"I am willing to work together with Prime Minister Modi to constantly enhance the China-India strategic and cooperative partnership to a higher level, and jointly safeguard our strategic period of opportunities, as well as peace and stability of the region and the world at large."

The two countries should jointly safeguard peace and tranquility of the border area before reaching a final settlement, Xi added.

BOOSTING COOPERATION WITH S. AFRICA

As he met on Monday with South African President Zuma, Xi recalled that during his South Africa tour last year, the two countries agreed to take their relations as a strategic supporting point and a priority of each other's overall foreign policy.

The past year and more has witnessed smooth implementation of the consensus reached in the previous visit, as Xi put it, adding that such moves "promote the convergence of interests and common development of both China and South Africa."

In specific cooperative areas, Xi said the two countries could carry out cooperation in energy, mineral resources, agriculture, infrastructure, rail locomotive and nuclear energy.