Chinese envoy hopes for ‘better and better’ ties with India, cites millennia-old civilisational links

Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong on Sunday expressed hope that the relationship between the two countries will be “better and better” in the future, asserting that both China and India have thousands of years of civilisation.

Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Xu highlighted the long history of engagement between the two nations, noting that for most of their thousands of years of civilisation, India and China maintained close and friendly ties.

When asked about the ongoing border tensions, Xu referenced remarks made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had noted that periods of discord were brief compared to the broader arc of bilateral history. “We should look forward, look to the future — especially the young people today,” Xu said, calling for a forward-looking approach to bilateral ties.

The envoy’s comments come amid efforts by both countries to manage lingering disputes and stabilise diplomatic relations.

Praising the Indian students awarded at the function, he said the young generation is the hope of the two countries.

”So we should believe that in the future our relationships will be better and better,” he said.

”So we have the reason to solve all the differences between our two sides,” he said when asked whether that would include resolving the border issues.

Stating that a lot of work should be done by both sides, the ambassador said ”not only (by) the government, but (by) the think tanks, the students and universities”.

Feihong said PM Modi and President XI Jinping had made a ”very important consensus to together promote good neighbourly relationships between China and India”.

”I am expecting that new development will be taking shape in the coming time,” he said.

Feihong also said he was hopeful that direct flights between the two countries would resume soon, which have remained suspended since 2020.

Addressing the function, he said India-China relations were at a ”critical stage”, noting that 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

He said China will soon organise a youth exchange delegation from India to visit some Chinese cities, including capital Beijing.

With inputs from agencies