China will never "encircle India" and an "acceptable solution" to the boundary issue will be found by both sides, a senior Chinese minister said today.
"There is a special mechanism in place to resolve the border issues and the governments and the military establishments of the two countries are in close interaction and there has been peace and tranquility on our borders. We will find an acceptable solution to the issue," Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao said.
Liu, while answering a question at a briefing on Xi's visit to India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, said China has not and will never "encircle India".
China has been developing strategic port facilities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and it is planning to build railroad lines in Nepal.
Analysts say through these initiatives, China is expanding its sphere of regional influence by surrounding India with a 'string of pearls' that could eventually undermine India's pre-eminence.
Liu said China wants to work together with India with mutual political trust and achieve greater development.
On the economic front, Xi's visit will focus discussions on upgradation of existing railway lines in India besides developing a network of high speed rail, he said.
"Also the two countries are interested in nuclear energy cooperation, but they will act in accordance with the international rules and interest and demands of each other," Liu said.
Responding to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan, he said, "China adopts a positive attitude to reaching-out to Japan by India and hopes that any such process is conducive to growth of China-India relationship."
Xi's visit to India and other South Asian countries will have a significant and profound impact on bilateral ties, Liu said.
The development of China and India will not only benefit the two peoples but Asia and the world, he said.
During his India tour, Xi will meet President Pranab Mukherjee, hold talks with Prime Minister Modi and meet other Indian leaders.
Xi will also give a speech in New Delhi on China-India relations and China's South Asia policy while extensively interacting with Indian people from all walks of life.
Liu said Xi's visit to the Maldives will be the first ever visit by China's head of state since the two countries established diplomatic links 42 years ago.
He said this visit is of "epoch-making significance" for China-Maldives ties.
During Xi's visit to Sri Lanka, he will hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and plan the future growth of bilateral relations, Liu said.
