China will keep borders with India peaceful : Chinese envoy

New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) China will ensure that its borders with India are ''peaceful and tranquil'' and there is allround progress in relations between the two countries pending resolution of the boundary issue, Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Yuxi said today.

Speaking to UNI on the sidelines of a function where he launched a ''China Town'' in Kolkata, Mr Sun said that so far three round of the border talks had taken place and they (the talks) were making progress.

''We will keep our borders peaceful and tranquil and border differences will not stand in the way of friendship between the two countries,'' he said.

Expressing satisfaction at the re-opening of the Nathula pass, the Ambassador said Beijing was expecting bilateral trade to cross 20 billion Dollars this year.

Earlier in his address at the function, Mr Sun said he would recommend to his government opening a Consulate General in Kolkata which was the hub of activity and a link for Chinese trade with South-East Asia.

Kolkata provided the nearest seaport for trade through Nathula, he added.

''This is the year of friendship between India and China. We share many common points. We are the only two nations which have a population of more than a billion each. We have a 5000 year history and both countries are developing fast. We together constitute nearly half the population of the world,'' he said.

UNI RB YA HT2022