India-China dialogue to focus on economic coordination:China

BEIJING: The first India-China strategic economic dialogue being held here next week would focus on macroeconomic outlook and increasing communication on economic policy-making between the two countries, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said here today.
The dialogue, regarded as the most significant elevation of bilateral ties as both the countries have such a mechanism only with the US, would be co-chaired by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Zhang Ping, Director of China's National Development and Reform Commission.

The two-day dialogue will begin here on September 26. Officials of the two countries in-charge of foreign affairs and macroeconomic planning will attend the dialogue, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Spokesman, Hong Lei told a media briefing here today.

The dialogue will focus on macroeconomic outlook, communication and coordination on economic policy-making and other potential opportunities for pragmatic cooperation, he said.

"I believe the China-India strategic economic dialogue would help boost economic cooperation between the two nations," Hong said.

Ahluwalia will be heading a 12-member delegation to discuss micro-economic and planning issues in both the countries, Indian officials here said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to establish a regular bilateral strategic economic dialogue mechanism during Wen's visit to India last December.

The dialogue was established to strengthen coordination on macroeconomic policy-making and jointly tackle challenges emerging in the economic development of both nations.

The first round of the dialogue has also been listed as an important event marking the China-India Exchange Year in 2011, Hong said.

He also declined to entertain any questions relating China's objections to ONGC Videsh exploring oil reserves in Vietnamese blocks in South China Sea.

He said China has already made its stand clear in this regard and he has nothing to add.