The year 1998 is an important year to comprehensively carry out the spirit of the 15th National Party Congress, and implement the policies and guidelines set forth by the Party Central Committee,
I am firmly convinced that, in future years, China and India will join hands in playing a more active role in maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world at large and make due contribution to the cause of human progress and development.
China and India are close neighbours linked by mountains and rivers and the Chinese and Indian peoples have enjoyed friendly exchanges for thousands of years.