Chinese, Indian premiers pledge closer cooperation

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh Monday, stressing the two countries should seize strategic opportunities to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

It was of great significance for China and India, two neighboring nations with ancient civilizations, to step onto the road to prosperity at the same time, Wen said, adding peaceful co-existence and close cooperation not only benefited the people of the two countries, but also helped to promote world peace and prosperity.

China and India should enhance bilateral communication and coordination in implementing macro-economic policies through strategic dialogues, and promote infrastructure cooperation, Wen said.

The Chinese government encouraged Chinese enterprises to participate in major construction projects in India, he said.

Wen also called for favorable policies and social environments for expanding investment in both countries as well as facilitation in finance, information and legal services.

More efforts should be made to improve the quality of cooperation and foster new growth points, Wen said.

During the meeting, Wen also suggested the two sides promote bilateral trade to achieve balanced growth while opening up markets to ward off protectionism.

Wen and Singh are in Phnom Penh to attend a series of meetings for East Asian leaders.

Singh offered congratulations on the successful conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Singh said the two nations have conducted close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs since the establishment of a strategic partnership of cooperation, effectively safeguarding the common interests of both countries and other developing nations.

India was ready to work with China to push bilateral ties to a higher level, he said.