Chinese delegation calls on MoS Home Rijiju

A 14-member Chinese delegation of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference today met Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, and discussed with him how to strengthen trade and cultural ties.
Welcoming the delegation, Rijiju said India is eager to enhance trade and cultural ties with China and invited the Chinese entrepreneurs to take benefit of the huge potential that India offers in various sectors.
Besides ancient links between two civilisations, the Minister of State for Home said, India is looking forward to increase interaction between the youths of both the countries for more cultural contacts and exchanges in other fields.

The Chinese delegation also invited Rijiju to visit China.
The meeting bears significance as Rijiju hails from Arunachal Pradesh, which China considered as part of southern Tibet and maintained that it has "huge dispute" with India over the state.
People belonging to Arunachal Pradesh have been given staple visa by China in the past and a project sanctioned by Asian Development Bank for Arunachal Pradesh was also blocked by China in 2009.

Rijiju was once denied visa by China about nine years back. He, however, visited Beijing in 2008 as part of Indian Olympic delegation with a regular visa.
The Chinese delegation, led by Wang Pu, Vice Chairman, Shenzen Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, arrived in India to participate in the China (Shenzhen)-India Economic and Trade Cooperation seminar.

Observing that the Chinese delegation comprised leaders
from the business, political and cultural spectrum, Rijiju appreciated the rapid transformation of Shenzhen into a 'dream city' and hoped that India will get tremendous success through the recently unveiled Smart City project.
Rijiju said the government encourages close coordination between Indian and Chinese Industry.
Wang mentioned that India and China represent one-third of the world's population and also share a 'natural bond' due to Buddhism and together the two countries can impact a lot of change.
The Chinese delegation evinced keen interest in India's pharmaceuticals and biotech sector and invited investments by Indian pharmaceuticals companies in China.

The Chinese delegation inquired about the sectors of the economy which are attracting foreign investment. The delegation members also inquired about the incentives for the investors in India and requested the Minister for favourable policies for the Chinese investors.
They also raised the issue of facilitating the visas for the businessmen and for tourism even as more and more Chinese tourists and businessmen are visiting India every year.
Rijiju said India encourages people-to-people contact and in order to facilitate this, the Government recently extended the electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme to China and under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the "Visit India Year" was launched in China last year following which the "Visit China Year" has kicked off in India this year.

Regarding the investment, MoUs on establishing two Chinese Industrial Parks in Maharashtra and Gujarat were signed during President Xi's visit and the Chinese companies can explore the possibilities of investment in the same.
He hoped that more Indians can visit and do business in China especially in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs attended the meeting.