India, China bhai bhai, says Chinese Consul General

MUMBAI: This is one refrain which may sound a bit jarring in the backdrop of reports of incursions by China into Indian territory: the newly-appointed Consul General of China in Mumbai Wang Donghua today said, "India and China are not just neighbours, but are brothers too".

"We are not just neighbours, but brothers too. Both the countries are emerging superpowers and therefore, peace and development in the region will benefit them and the world," he said during a meeting with Maharashtra Governor S C Jamir at Raj Bhawan in south Mumbai.

We have lots of common interests than differences. All existing disputes between China and India, including the border dispute, can be resolved by peaceful negotiations, a Raj Bhawan official quoted the Chinese diplomat as saying during his courtesy call.

Welcoming the Consul General, Jamir said the future of the world depends to a large extent on how China and India build cooperation between them.

"Minor incidents and setbacks should not be allowed to disturb peace and good relations between the two nations. Both India and China have inner strength that enabled them to withstand the economic recession," the Governor said.