China’s trade volume with Eastern India has increased, more people to people contact in the pipeline, China envoy in Kolkata to ANM News

By a staff reporter: India and China are major emerging economic power whose bilateral trade volume exceeded more than USD 100 billion in recent consecutive years. In an exclusive written interview to ANM News, consul general of People’s Republic of China in Kolkata, Xu Wei, answered a various range of questions.

1. How does China want to expand business cooperation with East India? In which major sectors and companies is CG office optimistic about future prospects?

China and India are major emerging economies in the world, whose bilateral trade volume has exceeded USD 100 billion in recent consecutive years. In East India, export products like fish and shrimp from Kolkata to China have increased by nearly 70% over the past three years. Chinese companies in East India, covering agriculture sector like animal feed, manufacturing sector like metro car production, have made significant contributions to local employment as well as economic and social development.

There is huge potential for cooperation between East India and China in energy, infrastructure, agricultural technology and food processing (smart agriculture), cold chain logistics and manufacturing. The Chinese Consulate General stands ready to facilitate exchanges between East India and China, supporting more marketable products from East India to enter the Chinese market. We also welcome enterprises from East India to invest in China and share the rewards of China’s development. Meanwhile, it is hoped that Indian side could foster a favorable business environment for the Chinese enterprises in India.

2. The Chinese Consulate General has conducted various outreach programs to media and academia in West Bengal. What is the next plan for incorporating other states in East& North East India into this initiative?

Media and academic interaction form a vital part of people-to-people exchange between China and India, playing a unique role in guiding public opinion, shaping strategic perceptions, and promoting bilateral relations. This year, the Chinese Consulate General has maintained close ties with Indian friends from media and academia through briefings, receptions and other events. In late March, we jointly invited a delegation of Chinese experts and scholars to India to participate in international conferences in collaboration with Visva-Bharati University. In April, we organized a delegation consisting of Indian mainstream media representatives to visit Hunan and Fujian provinces. In June, we invited an Indian think tank delegation to visit Yunnan province and Chongqing municipality for exchanges. Under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in India, we facilitated a visit and training program in July for a senior media representative from Northeast India, providing him with an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of China. Whenever travelling outside West Bengal, we also enjoy interacting with local media friends and scholars. Their perspectives and views consistently enrich our understanding of the Indian society.
The Chinese Consulate General is willing to further strengthen contacts with media friends and scholars in East and Northeast India, helping them gain a comprehensive and objective understanding of China, report on China as well as the stories of China-India friendship. It’s our sincere hope that they serve as bridges of mutual understanding and envoys of goodwill, contributing to the healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.

3. How does the Chinese Consulate General view the current and future plans for cultural exchanges between China and India? Would there be an greater emphasis on cultural exchanges around Durga Puja, which is a major festival in Bengal?

The cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and India have traversed the long river of history and withstood the test of changing times, laying a profound foundation for mutual learning between two ancient Eastern civilizations, and becoming a lasting spiritual bond that continues to nurture China-India relations. East India, with its rich cultural heritage, boasts iconic symbols of China-India friendship like Rabindranath Tagore, Dr. Bejoy Kumar Basu, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda and Rajgir. In recent years, the Chinese Consulate General has organized several delegations from different fields such as arts, literature, sports and Buddhism to visit China, significantly boosting people-to-people exchanges with widespread acclaim. As visa restrictions are gradually eased and direct flight resume, people-to-people exchanges between the two sides will become more frequent and vibrant.

Durga Puja, the grandest traditional festival in East India and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, left a deep impression on me during my visit to puja pandals last year. Recognizing the cultural significance and unique influence of Durga Puja, the Chinese Consulate General looks forward to collaborating with Indian friends at an appropriate time to facilitate the Chinese cultural groups and individual visitors to jointly celebrate this festival, thereby further advancing cultural exchange between China and India.