Peaceful border must for promoting trade: China

Chandigarh, Dec 11: Some of the areas of Arunachal Pradesh are still disputed, Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi today said stressing that the issue needed to be solved amicably to promote trade.

Mr Sun, here to inaugurate a photo exhibition, said, the border issue must be settled as peaceful borders were a must for opening of the trade routes.

''Now that the two most populous countries in the world are friends and partners, our trade is developing very fast,'' he said.

Even after one year of opening of Nathu La Pass, only 15 trade items are passing through it and the list needs an expansion to include other items of the 100-odd items on the bilateral trade list, Mr Yuxi said.

The two countries had signed a regional trade agreement to expand bilateral trade from the current 20 billion dollar, he added.

On the presence of Chinese companies in India, he said there are nearly 40 companies, mostly in infrastructure projects like roads paving and six to seven power projects.

One Chinese company, Sino-Pack Petroleums, had got a prestigious contract to lay gas pipeline passsing through Rajasthan upto Hyderabad in collaboration with local partner Reliance, where nearly 6000 local workers would be employed, he said.

China was importing pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textile, rice and fruits and vegetable. Chinese even have a taste of indian tea, he added.

UNI

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