Recently, the 16th China-India Boundary Talks were held in Beijing. The two sides had a series of in-depth talks and exchanges of opinions in order to mitigate border tensions and maintain cross-border peace.

The border between the two countries extends for about 1,700 km. Although the two sides have never officially drawn a boundary line, it was naturally formed and adhered to by the two sides a long time back. However, after India became a colony of the United Kingdom, the British Empire started to expand into along the border.

After gaining independence in 1947, India inherited the areas enveloped by the British Empire. Thus border disputes emerged between China and India, resulting in the two countries clashing in 1962. In the past 30 years or so, the two countries have sought a solution to their border differences, but no breakthrough has been made so far.

Despite this, the situation in the China-India border areas is generally peaceful. Authorities of the two countries have kept close communication.

China and India are the two biggest countries by land mass in Asia. They are neighbors and both are developing countries. In recent years, they have embraced a comprehensive and rapid development in their relations. Since 2005, high-level exchanges of visits as well as exchanges and cooperation in all areas have been increasingly frequent. The leaders of the two countries have identified 10 strategies for deepening cooperation and they singed a common prospect for the 21st century. All these factors present the image of relations marching toward stability.

Currently, China-India cooperation has gone beyond any bilateral scope and is of global significance. Their common development not only benefits their 2.4 billion people but also benefits Asia and the whole world.

China looks forward to taking the responsibility—along with India—of promoting good momentum in China-India relations, clearing away obstacles and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.