'Dragon and Elephant' should dance together: Chinese embassy spokesperson

A spokesperson of the Embassy of China in New Delhi has said that the dragon (China) and elephant (India) should dance together to make most from bilateral relations.

"The dragon and elephant should dance together to achieve the political effects of making one plus one eleven in Sino-India relations. I am full of confidence and expectations for the future of China-India relations. Interestingly, the Chinese have echoed the vision of Mr Modi on "making one plus one eleven' in Sino-Indian ties," Spokesperson and Press Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in New Delhi Xie Liyan said in a video released by the embassy on the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China last week.

The video also highlights the personal bond between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Both leaders have met more than a dozen times on bilateral and multilateral occasions. They have established a good personal friendship and working relationship. Especially in the meeting between our two leaders in Xiamen, they agreed to look forward and start a new chapter," Xie said.

Asserting that she had experienced wonderful moments of Indo-China relationship, Xie noted President Xi spinning the legendary Charkha with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India and both walking side by side at Dacien Temple in Xian were examples of the close relationship shared between the two leaders and their respective countries.

She also made a mention of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang taking a 'super selfie' with Prime Minsiter Modi at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.

The spokesperson said there was great potential in Indo-China relations and highlighted the fact that the trade volume between the two countries exceeded USD 20 billion last year.

"China has been for many years the largest trading partner of Indi . More than 500 Chinese companies have invested and started businesses in India. Total investment has reached over five billion. Many Indian enterprises have also entered the Chinese market such as in IT, pharmacy, consultancy and so on," she said.

She added that that people-to-people exchanges are also thriving between the two Asian neighbors.

Both countries have established 14 pairs of sister cities and provinces and have maintained close high-level communications.

Earlier, China's Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui's, said that the time is right for both India and China to "turn a new chapter" in ties and "dance together".

Making an indirect reference to the 73-day-long military standoff on the Doklam Plateau in Bhutan, Ambassador Zhaohui made a strong pitch for renewing India-China ties by using an idiom that both "India and China should make one plus one eleven".

Speaking on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of founding of the People's Republic of China, Ambassador Zhaohui said, "We should turn the old page and start a new chapter with the same pace and same direction."

Meanwhile, the annual ceremonial border personnel meeting (BPM) between India and China was cancelled after Beijing did not send an invite for the meet.

The meeting was to be hosted by China at the five designated BPM points across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The five meeting points are at Kibithoo (Arunachal), Spanngur Gap at Chusul (Ladakh), Bum-La near Tawang (Arunachal) and Nathu-La (Sikkim) and at Daulat Beg Oldie in northern Ladakh.

Indian and Chinese troops had exchanged sweets during the last such meeting held on on August 15.