China, India must coordinate closely within WTO: Jintao

Mumbai, Nov 23 (UNI) Chinese President Hu Jintao today gave a call for India and China to strengthen energy and infrastructure ties and invest heavily in each other's economy, besides stressing that the two Asian giants must liberalise their trade environments further and coordinate more closely within the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

''We want to encourage competitive Chinese firms to invest in India and more Indian companies to invest in China. If India and China work together, the 21st century will belong to Asia,'' President Hu said.

During Mr Hu's trip, which began in New Delhi late on Monday, both the countries held discussions specifically on furthering economic relations, while sweeping away mistrust and speeding up efforts to resolve a decade-old dispute over their 3,500-km Himalayan border.

The visit, the second ever by a Chinese president, was punctuated by Tibetan activists demonstrating against what they say is China's illegal occupation of Tibet.

One protester set himself ablaze outside the luxury waterfront hotel where the visiting President was staying during the day, before being taken away by the police.

The Chinese President, during his interaction with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, also assured him of all help in developing Mumbai on the lines of Shanghai.

Mr Hu said India and China were friends since long and and the friendship got strengthened due to Dr Dwarakanath Kotnis's contribution to China. ''Dr Kotnis was the symbol of India-China friendship,'' he added.

He met Dr Kotnis's family members prior to attending the nvestment summit organised by FICCI here.

The visiting President also pointed out that several Chinese projects were functional in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai.

Mr Deshmukh apprised the Chinese President on various developmental projects in Mumbai and also noted that Maharashtra was the country's numero uno state and has atracted eight billion dollars investment.

The Chief Minister also said due to 71 special economic zones in Maharashtra for the growth in industries, it was the ideal investment destination for China. He also deliberated on the entertainment industry of Mumbai which is emerging as one of the biggest industries in the country.

Immediately after lunch, Mr Jintao concluded his India visit and left for Islamabad.

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