China, India to find solution to border disputes

BEIJING - Border disputes between China and India will be resolved through peaceful negotiations, with the two countries agreeing to seek a fair and rational solution acceptable to both sides, a press release said Saturday.

After two-day talks on border issues between the two countries, the Chinese Foreign Ministry release said, "(The two sides agree to) give full play to the (existing) mechanisms on border-related issues and maintain peace and tranquility in border areas before issues are resolved."

It was the 16th round of talks of this kind, attended by Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Indian National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, both as special representatives.

During the "constructive and fruitful" talks, Yang and Menon also exchanged views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern in a candid and in-depth way.

The two sides believe that the development of the China-India relationship is in the interests of the two nations, the region and the world at large, the release said.

They also pledged to sustain high-level interactions, enhance mutual trust, boost practical cooperation, step up cultural and people-to-people exchanges and further advance bilateral ties, the release said.

The China-India special representative talks on border-related issues were initiated in 2003 and serve as an important platform for solving disputes between both sides.