By IANS
New Delhi : The Chinese envoy declared Tuesday there was "enough space" for his country to "grow together" with India and contribute to peace and stability in Asia and around the globe, a sentiment that was immediately reciprocated.
The assertions came a function here to bid goodbye to an 100-member Indian youth delegation led by Sports and Youth Affairs minister Mani Shankar Aiyar that is leaving Thursday on a 10-day visit to China.
"Our relationship is of global and strategic significance. There is enough space for both our nations to grow together," Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi maintained.
"We can make a positive contribution to peace and stability of Asia and the world. This will lead to greater trust and cooperation (around the world)," he added.
Aiyar endorsed the view, saying: "It is important for India that China grow and for China that India grow."
Noting that it the 21st century were to truly become an Asian Century, the two "giants" India and China, "rising from various kinds of oppression, will have to do it together or not at all. We are marching together shoulder to shoulder", he added.
This is the second Indian youth delegation to visit China in the last eight months. A similar Chinese delegation had visited India last November.
The delegation comprises youth from the spheres of academics, Chinese studies, social work, culture, industry and the media. This apart, it includes quiz winners, bravery award winners and youth with special abilities.
The visits were launched following the visit here of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jinbao in April 2005 at which it was decided to institutionalise such interactions.
Then, during the visit here of Chinese President Hu Jintao last November, it was agreed to launch a five-year programme of youth exchanges. Under this, China invited delegations of 100 youth per year over the next five years. India will also receive a similar number of Chinese youth over the period.
"The last delegation was the guest of my prime minister. This time, you will be the guests of my president," Ambassador Sun declared to huge applause.
During the visit, which begins from Beijing and will cover several cities like Nanjing, Kunming and Shanghai, the delegation will interact with the top leadership of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the Communist Youth League of China and the All China Youth Federation, and also visit the Tsinghua University and the "Bird's Nest" stadium, the main venue for next year's Olympic Games.