Ajay Maken to lead youth delegation to China

NEW DELHI: Sports Minister Ajay Maken will lead an Indian youth delegation to China on a 10-day trip from tomorrow as part of an exchange programme.

The Chinese government has designated the current year as the year of India-China Youth Exchange and it is the sixth Indian delegation visiting China under the programme.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had invited a 500-member Indian youth delegation to his country while he was here in December last year.

"The Indian delegation will visit Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai during their 10-day stay in China from September 20 to 29," the Sports Ministry said in a statement.

This year, the delegation comprises young leaders from political parties, youth from academics, Panchayati Raj Institutions, folk and cultural artists, media, Chinese studies, volunteers of National Youth Corps and National Services Scheme.

The exchange programme involves interaction with local youth, visits to tourist and cultural sites and introduction to economic and social activities.

It also includes visits to rural areas. The first 100-member Indian youth delegation visited China from October 8 to 17 in 2006 followed by the return visit of a 100-member delegation from China from November 20 to 29, 2006