India, China remain strategic friends, says Chinese Premier

BEIJING, July 4 (UNI) India and China are partners rather than competitors in most of the areas, including the strategic relations, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said here today in a meeting with Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

''China sincerely hopes for India's development and growing strong. There's no force that can block the development of Sino-Indian relations, no force that can destroy the friendship between Chinese and Indian people,'' Mr Jiabao was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

As neighbours and major developing countries, China and India shared broad interests, he said.

The friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and India served the interests of both the countries and would preserve peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, the Chinese Premier said.

The two countries have held talks to settle border issues.

He hailed the strategic cooperation established between the two countries, saying China would work with India to seek common development.

Trade between the two nations is expected to hit 20 billion U.S.

dollars this year, two years earlier than previously anticipated, and exceeded 18 billion US dollars last year.

Mr Chatterjee agreed with Mr Jiabao and stated the exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries' would help in further development of bilateral ties.

The Chinese and Indian Parliaments officially yesterday launched regular exchanges, agreeing to hold annual consultations.

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