PM Singh to address Chinese Communist Party School

In a rare honour, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit and address China's ruling Communist Party's Central School during his visit here next week besides holding in-depth talks with Chinese leaders.

Besides holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, Singh would address the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central School, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told PTI here.

The school is China's most prominent ideological institution, which produced almost all top Chinese leaders over the years. It is rare invitation for heads of foreign governments to address the school.

"Everybody is looking forward to hear his speech at the Central Party School an honour bestowed on important leaders," Hua said.

The CPC, which has been ruling the country for the 64 years, has several schools for ideological orientation. Its main campus is located in Beijing.

Till last year, the school was headed by Xi himself.     The schools plays an important role in shaping CPC's ideology.

Singh would address the school on October 24. He will hold talks with Xi and Li on October 23 during which the two sides were expected to sign key agreements like Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA).

The BDCA is expected to broadly address India's concerns over the recent incursions by the Chinese troops in different points and lay elaborate structure to deal with various issues arising out of patrolling along the Line of Actual Control.

On signing of the BDCA, Hua said, "I know the two sides are in close communication". She was referring to the talks held by both sides in September here.

The two sides are working to improve the border mechanism, its efficiency and capacity, she said.

"The two sides have agreement in this regard. China is ready to work with India on this issue. I believe there is political consensus to uphold peace and stability at the border area. I believe Chinese side will take concrete steps to that endeavour," Hua said.

There are certain issues between both the countries but there is important political consensus to commit ourselves to resolve all those issues through friendly consultation and try to find out win-win solutions, she said.

"So we are confident that we can manage all those issues including border issues in a friendly way, so that we can keep peace and stability at the border areas and we can bring more benefits of our cooperation to our peoples," she said.

"On the boundary question, the competent authorities are in communication and leaders two sides have consensus to ensure tranquility at the border area. At present border area is peaceful. We hope this situation can be sustained and both countries avoid boundary question from hampering bilateral relations," Hua said.

On whether China will expand its investment to reduce trade deficit which climbed to about USD 30 billion, she China do not intentionally seek trade deficit.

"We are ready to step up trade volume with India to improve quality to strike dynamic balance," she said.

Singh's visit would be of great significance to deepening China-India strategic partnership, Hua said adding that he would have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

"China and India are the two most important developing countries and emerging economies in the world. Bilateral relations are assuming strategic significance and global influence," Hua said.

The two countries are also expected to sign agreement to facilitate Special Chinese Industrial Parks in India to promote with investment from China.

Both countries are also looking to liberlise visa regime to facilitate more trade and peoples contacts between the two countries.

Stating that Li's visit in May this year to New Delhi yielded fruitful results, Hua said it laid a foundation for furthering China-India strategic cooperation and partnership.

"We are ready to work with the Indian side to enhance cooperation to strengthen coordination on major international and regional issues and further advance China-India strategic cooperative partnership," she said.

"Singh's visit is something important and significant for the two countries. We really look forward to develop and enhance strategic mutual trust between China and India through this visit," she said.

Singh's visit will be another important high level trip after Premier Li's tour to India, the first foreign travel undertaken by him after taking over the office to send message of friendship, Hua said.

"This will be the first exchange of visits of the two Prime Ministers within a year since 1954. This would be of great significance to deepening China-India strategic partnership," she said.

"...there is a broad prospect of cooperation between the two countries," she said.
Asked whether the Special Chinese Industrial parks as well as Boundary question will figure in the talks, she said. The relevant departments are in close communication.

"China and India are two largest developing and emerging economies of the world. There is a great prospects for the two countries to engage in trade and economic cooperation," she said adding that during Li's visit to India two countries agreed to engage in cooperation to build industrial parks.

"The aim is to develop clustered development platform for the businesses of the two countries. China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the Indian side to expand market for our respective businesses and to facilitate investments," she said.