Wen Jiabao: Enough space in the world for both India and China growth

NEW DELHI: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday dismissed suggestions that India and China were pitted against each other and said the two countries were partners in cooperation and not rivals.

"There is enough space in the world for both the nations," Wen told a gathering of Indian and Chinese businessmen in New Delhi at the start of his three-day visit to India . The Chinese premier said China-India relations should not be seen as "rivalry between the dragon and the elephant" . "I don't agree with this view... I don't think business people agree either."

Wen is visiting India after a gap of five years. He is accompanied by a 300-member business delegation that is expected to sign more than $16 billion in deals during the visit.
The premier told business leaders that China would seek to boost imports from India in an effort to reduce its $18-billion trade surplus.

"China takes seriously the trade imbalance between the two countries," he said, adding the country was ready to give more access to Indian pharmaceutical , agricultural and IT companies .

The premier said he would discuss with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ways to substantially increase trade volumes between the two nations and for an early launch of negotiations for a free trade agreement. "We are both in the process of fast industrialisation and our dynamic economies can get support from each other," he said.

India is stronger in IT, pharmaceuticals , R&D and finance, and China has the capability in manufacturing, infrastructure and construction and "it was entirely possible to draw upon each other's strengths and move forward ," he said. Wen demanded easier procedures for moving capital and people between the two countries so that "more favorable conditions for mutual investment" are created.China favours more direct flights between the two countries to boost tourism.