China is open to letting Indian goods enter its market, China’s ambassador to India, Xu Feihong said on Thursday in a major remark that could change the business ties between the two Asian neighbours. He said together, India and China can partner in different areas to produce an effective “1 plus 1, bigger than 2”.

 “…We welcome all Indian commodities to enter the Chinese market…” the Chinese envoy said, adding that “they (India and China) are partners and not rivals”.

Xu said that there is a need for the two Asian countries to strengthen their mutual trust, and avoid suspicion. “For two neighbouring countries of such size, unity and cooperation are the only way to achieve common development…China and India’s friendship benefits Asia…We are the double engines of economic growth in Asia…India and China unity benefits the world at large. India and China have the responsibility to take the lead in promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world,” he added.

Stressing that the international order is seeing a turbulent period since the days of World War-II, he said together, India and China “can open new chapter of dragon-elephant tango”.

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China calls US a ‘bully’, backs India

The Chinese ambassador also highlighted progress in people-to-people exchanges, saying that Beijing has resumed the visit of Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake, and India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals.

He added that PM Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to China for the SCO Summit is a key step in the development of ties between the two countries. “I believe this visit will give a new impetus to China-India relations,” he said. 

Envoy Xu referred to the US as a “bully” for imposing 50% tariffs on India and said, “The US has long benefited greatly from free trade but now uses tariffs as bargain chips to demand exorbitant prices from various countries. The US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on India, and has even threatened for more.”

“China firmly opposes it. In the face of such acts, silence only emboldens the bully. China will firmly stand with India to uphold the multilateral trading system with world trade,” he added.

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Remark comes soon after Chinese foreign minister’s visit

The support from Chinese envoy soon after Beijing’s top diplomat and Foreign Minister Wang Yi came on a two-day visit to India and met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Wang conveyed that the two sides are discussing positive ties and backed India against the US tariffs.

Wang also met PM Modi on Tuesday and handed over a message and an invitation from President Xi Jinping for the summit in Tianjin, providing context for the upcoming visit.


The Prime Minister thanked President Xi for the invitation to the SCO Summit and conveyed his acceptance. The SCO summit will be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.