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October 1, 2019 marks the 70th anniversaryof the founding of the People’s Republic ofChina (PRC).In an exclusive interview with BE’s Ankit Singh, ZhaLiyou, Consul-General of PRC in Kolkata, discussed India-China trade relations, bilateral economic and strategic cooperation and the current political situationin Hong Kong.

Q. India and China share a long history of cultural, scientific, and economic linkages. What steps should be taken to strengthen these linkages?

A. India is the birthplace of Buddhism and China is the biggest Buddhist country. We have a long shared history. President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have met many times and both sides have been very satisfied with each meeting. The strategic guidance and top-level design coming from the leaders of these two states are important for bilateral relations. Secondly, we have to strengthen mutual trust and bilateral cooperation. China and India should be good neighbours, good friends and good partners. We need to enhance trade relations and promote exchanges in the fields of movies, sports, tourism, youth, mediaand others. We should deepen the synergy between China and India’s developmental strategies. Both aim to achieve prosperity of their country and welfare of their people. We should view and even try to combine each other’s developmental intentions in a positive way and support each other’s modernisation processes. There can be more exchanges in governance experience so as to better understand and learn from each other. Finally, we need to focus on implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of our states. This consensus should percolate to the sub-national level, strengthening ties between Chinese Provinces and Indian Pradeshes.

Q. How important is India – China trade relations for ensuring better bilateral cooperation between the two countries?

A. Traditionally, China-India relations have been built on historical and cultural bonds, which go deep. If we compare contemporary China-India relations to a large ship, our trade relation is like the ballast stone of that ship. We are on the same boat and in a new era. We need to enlarge the deck and expand its loading capacity. In addition to diligent people, we boast of vast landmasses, rich resources and diverse cultures. Our two economies will help to unleash significant economies of scale, produce the most competitive production basis, the most attractive consumer market and the most powerful growth engine of the world. By strengthening economic ties, we will not only benefit people of our two nations but provide a strong impetus for bilateral relations which are conducive to regional stability and world peace and prosperity.

Q. What can be the specific areas of cooperation between India and China?

A. Ambassador Sun Weidong had once said, “About India there are a lot of things we don’t know.” Similarly, Indian friends have very limited understanding about China. The combined population of China and India accounts for 35% of the global population and 20% of the world's total GDP. However, our bilateral trade makes up only 0.53% of the world's total trade volume. The two countries enjoy a huge potential for expanding cooperation. As two major emerging global economies, we have promising prospects in cooperation in the fields of IT, culture, tourism, healthcare, agriculture, skill training and poverty alleviation. Together we can promote regional inter-connectivity. We need to come together to safeguard free trade and multilateralism and protect our legitimate rights to development. Also, China and India are working together under the frame of BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization and so on.  “China-India +” efforts on international issues like climate change, cyber security and regional connectivity would certainly come out with more fruits for the community.

Q. What new initiatives are being taken by the Chinese government to strengthen bilateral economic ties?

A. Thanks to joint efforts from the two countries, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has made significant achievements. China has been India's largest trading partner for several consecutive years. In 2018, bilateral trade volume reached $95.5 billion and has been on an upward curve. Last year, China successfully held the first International Import Expo (CIIE), a first of its kind event in international trade history in which India also participated. On September 10, the sixth Sino-India Strategic Economic Dialogue and Sino-India Economic Cooperation Forum were successfully held in New Delhi, with both sides exchanging views on macroeconomic policies and reached a consensus on various topics.

Q. How do you react to the Indian stance on the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative undertaken by the Chinese government?

A. The main theme of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is to achieve a win-win situation. It is not China’s geo-strategic tool. We are expecting India to be part of the BRI. By doing so, India could be in a better position to explore its potential, give play to its unique advantages and improve regional infrastructure and promote regional interconnectivity. During the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) successfully held in April, President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech. He pointed out that China will pursue open, green and clean cooperation and stick to high-standard, people-centered and sustainable development. The BRI has lent fresh impetus for global economic growth.

It is noted that India was once again absent from the forum. I believe India has the least reason to be absent. The Indian side is deeply concerned about its trade deficits with China.

I believe connectivity is the key to the solution. Direct connectivity between the two countries or indirectconnectivity via third countries will facilitate the flow of goods, capital and people and make our bilateral trademore balanced. With better interconnectivity, BRI couldhave more strategic convergence with India’s “Act East” policy. We hope our Indian friends will re-examine their stance on the BRI, join BRI to benefit and contribute to interconnectivity in the region. We need to act.

Q. How is Beijing reacting to the current political crisis in Hong Kong?

A. Recently, the situation in Hong Kong has drawn much attention. I would like to take this opportunity to state the truth and the Chinese government position on the issue. Firstly, violence and chaos must be stopped and order needs to be restored in accordance with law. The atrocities exercised by radical protestors, which are still escalating, defy human and divine laws and cannot be tolerated by any civilised society. Secondly, we believe there are instigations of certain countries behind these demonstrations. They blame the Hong Kong police, who uphold public order, for “excessive law enforcement”, but turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by radicals against the police. It should be specifically pointed out there are evil hands behind the extremism supported bycontentious politics or social movement tricks.

Third, whatever is happening in Hong Kong is purelyChina's internal affair. What needs to be highlighted is that the "One country, Two systems" policy should be understood and implemented as a whole. Fourth, the Chinese government has a strong resolve and confidence to maintain HongKong's prosperity and stability. The Central Government of China will continue to firmly support Chief ExecutiveCarrie Lam in leading the Hong Kong government's administration according to law and will continue to firmly support the Hong Kong police. India and Hong Kong have close economic and trade ties, so Hong Kong's stability and prosperity also meets the interests of India.