'Dragon-elephant tango': Chinese President Xi Jinping's message to President Murmu on stronger ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping (Courtesy: Bloomberg)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to news agency Xinhua.

"Today marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a media briefing.

According to Reuters,  Jinping told Murmu that the relationship between the two nations should take the form of a "Dragon-Elephant tango" - a dance between their emblematic animals.

Also, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged congratulatory messages.

Xi said the neighbours should find ways to coexist peacefully and that he was ready to deepen communication and coordination in major international affairs, and jointly safeguard peace in border areas.

Xi Jinping recently met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

Yunus, on a four-day visit to China, took part in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in Hainan after arriving on Wednesday. He reached Beijing on Thursday and was received at the airport by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.

Gearing up for his meeting with Xi, Yunus called on China to reduce interest rates for Chinese loans and waive commitment fees on Chinese-funded projects. In his meeting with Chinese Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on the sidelines of the Boao Forum, Yunus sought Chinese support for an array of development projects, Bangladesh media reports said.

He also urged China to lower interest rates on loans to Bangladesh from 3% to 1-2% and requested a waiver of commitment fees on Chinese-funded projects.

Xi also reaffirmed China’s commitment to encouraging Chinese investment in Bangladesh and facilitating the relocation of Chinese manufacturing enterprises, Yunus' Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said in a Facebook post describing the talks as "comprehensive, fruitful, and constructive".

"President Xi reiterated China’s support to the Chief Adviser and the Interim Government. It was Professor Yunus’ first bilateral foreign tour, and so far, it has been a grand success," Alam said.

China is also considering enhanced cooperation in water resource management, a key issue raised by Bangladesh during the talks, he added.

Bangladesh has secured a commitment of $2.1 billion in Chinese investments, loans and grants, Yunus' press wing said.

Nearly 30 Chinese companies pledged $1 billion for the Chinese Industrial Economic Zone after Yunus urged private investment in the Bangladeshi manufacturing sector.

China also plans to lend $400 million for modernization of Mongla port, $350 million for further development in China's economic zone in Bangladesh, and $150 million in technical assistance, with the rest coming as grants and other lending, according to PTI.