Highlight India's progress in China, Aiyar tells youth delegation

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) India and China are great civilisations and they need to ''rediscover'' themselves, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs and Sports Mani Shankar Aiyar said here today.

Stating that China has made tremendous progress in the economic sphere over the years, Mr Aiyar said, ''You will be overwhelmed by the economic miracle of China.'' He was addressing a 100-member Indian youth delegation, which will visit China under an India-China exchange programme, at the valedictory session of a two-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on 'India and China'.

Describing the Indian youth delegation's ten-day visit to China as ''a truly exciting expedition'', the Union Minister urged them to project India's achievements in the economic field, its significant growth rate and efforts to eradicate poverty during their stay in China.

Mr Aiyar, who got his first posting as an IFS officer in China in 1968, said China had succeeded in mobilising its youth and women both in urban and rural areas for a sustainable growth.

Though India was far ahead of China in its dexterity with English language, China is fast catching up, he said. The Chinese were fond of Indian food, dances, music and films.

Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said China was ''our largest neighbour'' and the two countries should learn from each other by cooperating in various fields.

Since former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's visit to China the relations between the two countries had steadily developed. Mr Menon called upon the young delegates to share their experience on their return for mutual benefit.

Deputy Chief of Mission in the Chinese Embassy Zheng Quigdian said bilateral relations had progressed remarkably in the recent years.

''We are partners in development in every sense.'' He said Beijing was committed to reforms and described his country as one of the most dynamic in the world.

UNI YS YA KN1955