Xi's trip to central, south Asia opens new chapter for China's neighborhood diplomacy: FM(2)

On the sidelines of the summit, Xi also attended the first trilateral summit between China, Mongolia and Russia, during which he proposed to construct an economic corridor linking the three nations.

The Chinese president also held separate talks with counterparts from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, with broad consensus reached on expanding pragmatic cooperation between China and these nations.

LIFTING CHINA'S TIES WITH NATIONS IN THE TRIP

China and India, as the world's two largest developing countries and emerging economies, enjoy a longtime friendship and are in a historic process of national rejuvenation, Wang said, adding that both have become important powers during the world's multi-polarization process.

Chinese and Indian leaders decided to carry forward their friendship from both historic depths and comprehensive perspectives, and keep reciprocal cooperation as the constant theme of China-India relations.

During talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi noted that the harmonious coexistence, and peaceful, cooperative and inclusive development of the Chinese Dragon and the Indian Elephant will benefit the two nations, neighboring countries and the globe.

Modi said the two sides should constantly push forward their relationship in the spirit of "From Inch to Mile". Sharing such a view, both heads of states agreed to build a closer developmental partnership, deepen the cooperation within bilateral, regional and global frameworks.

They also agreed to defend their common interests and other developing countries, and enhance the just and sound development of international politics and economic order.

They reaffirmed that both sides will properly manage and control the border disputes between the two nations, maintain peace and security in the border regions, and find a solution at an early date.

President Xi's visit has propelled the development of China-India ties into a new historic phase. Indian leaders, including President Pranab Mukherjee, said the mutually-beneficial cooperation with China is vital to India if the latter wants to take advantages from Asia's development. They said India is ready to make joint efforts with China to achieve common development and prosperity.

During the meetings with leaders of Tajikistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, President Xi made, together with them, top-level design and strategic planning for further developing ties between China and these nations.

At the meetings, Xi also reiterated China's firm support for the three countries' choices of own political systems and development paths.

All the bilateral talks emphasized, among others issues, a pledge to back core interests and major concerns of each other's country, and a willingness to share the development experience and profits, according to Wang, the Chinese foreign minister.

In India, Xi also delivered a speech on China's policy toward India and South Asia in the new era, expounding China's major measures to strengthen the cooperation with South Asian nations, while expressing the hope to realize common development and prosperity via the implementation of the "One Belt, One Road" initiatives.

PROMOTING "ONE BELT, ONE ROAD" INITIATIVES

Xi's four-country Asia trip highlighted the "One Belt and One Road" initiatives brought up by the Chinese president last year, according to Wang.

Xi proposed to closely knit China's competitive industries with the geographical features and the development needs of Tajikistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and India, by building the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "21 Century Maritime Silk Road," Wang said.

China signed more than 60 cooperative documents with the four countries during Xi's visit, Wang listed, adding that the countries have pledged active participation in constructing the "belt" and the "road," he said.

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom hailed that the initiative more closely linked Asian nations with each other.

Noting that enhancing understanding between different peoples is an important part of the Chinese initiative, Wang said Xi reached consensus of high-degree with leaders of the destination countries in terms of enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Xi's wife, Peng Liyuan, visited schools and was ardent in promoting public welfare and conducting cultural exchanges during the trip, showcasing the charm of China in an unique way, the foreign minister said.

Talking about China's active neighborhood diplomacy, Wang said China cannot develop without a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment, and that China's development has brought significant cooperation opportunities for neighboring countries.

Xi has visited 13 countries in Central, Southeast, Northeast and South Asia since he took office more than a year ago, where he expounded China's development targets, path and prospect, a reflection of the guidelines of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in China's neighborhood diplomacy, Wang said.

Xi's endeavors combined the Chinese dream with the aspiration of the peoples of neighboring countries to live a good life and enhanced mutual understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and these countries, Wang said.

Wang pledged that his country would implement the fruitful results of Xi's Asia trip, as well as the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, which benefit not only China but also its neighbors.