Chinese media upbeat about Krishna's visit

The English language China Daily on Thursday carried a big front page photograph of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi breaking into laughter while sharing a joke with Krishna during their talks yesterday.

The daily also carried a report highlighting the agreement the two Ministers signed to establish hotline links with the headline "hotline to connect China, India leaders".
The mass circulated Chinese language People's Daily, the official organ of the ruling Communist Party, also carried a report on Krishna's talks with Yang and later Premier Wen Jiabao.

In its report headlined "Beijing New Delhi agree to establish hotline for PMs," the Global Times, also mentioned that China had reiterated its stand on India seeking Beijing's support for its UNSC permanent seat bid.

The newspaper carried the remarks of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Jiang Yu made last Tuesday that "we understand and support India's wish to play a bigger role in UN affairs. We will stay in communication with India and other member states on this issue".

CCTV too carried a report on Krishna's meting with Wen yesterday where the Premier said that 2010 should be regarded as Friendship Year of India and China as it marked the 60th year of establishment of diplomatic relations.

"Wen Jiabao said China is willing to work with India to boost mutual trust, to properly handle border issues, to cooperate in bilateral and international issues and to push the strategic partnership to a higher level," the TV reported.

In a country where symbolism and semantics are regarded as the main barometers to gauge the official mood and official policy of China, Krishna's visit coupled with the 60th year celebrations of the diplomatic relations got a fair amount of coverage in the media by Chinese standards, diplomatic sources here said.
Krishna ended his four-day visit and left for home on Thursday.