China today offered to start a programme in martial arts here through Mumbai University.
This was announced by the Consul General of China, Liu Youfa, during a meeting with Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan at Raj Bhavan here.
Youfa told the Governor that having established a Confucius Institute at the University of Mumbai last year, China is now considering offering a programme in martial arts through the varsity. The programme will train students in self defence, he said.
He also said that China was seriously considering setting up an Industrial Park in Nashik, a Raj Bhawan spokesperson told reporters after the meeting. An area of 2,000 acres has been identified for the purpose.
According to Youfa, the China Industrial Park will have 20-30 non-polluting, high-end manufacturing and IT companies which will provide direct employment to nearly 3,000 people.
Youfa told the governor that his country had declared 2014 as the 'Year of Friendly Exchanges' and would be hosting a festival in June which will draw participation from friendly countries.
He invited Maharashtra to participate in the event.
Youfa, an economist by training, said the trade volume between India and China was USD 64 billion last year. Youfa said he has been conducting market research in Mumbai and Bangalore to identify new areas of co-operation for trade and investment.
China has expertise in infrastructure development and that is was one area where his country could offer help to Maharashtra, he said.
Expressing satisfaction over the measures taken by both countries to promote co-operation, the governor expressed hope that relations between China and India would strengthen further in the years to come.
