China pledges to step up strategic partnership with India

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) China has pledged to step up strategic and cooperative relations with India during 2006 -- declared a year of friendship between China and India.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made the remark today when Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee met him in Beijing where he arrived yesterday on a six-day official visit to China.

According to reports received here, Foreign Minister Li said China attached great importance to relations with India, noting that the common prosperity of China and India -- with one-third of the world's population -- would be a huge contribution to humankind.

Minister Mukherjee said India and China were good friends and shared similar views on many issues. The cooperation between the two countries and their active involvement in world affairs were conducive to the peace, stability and development of the world, he added.

India will make concerted efforts with China to boost mutual understanding and trust in a bid to push forward bilateral relations, Minister Mukherjee stressed.

UNI DG MA RK1840