Senior Chinese officials, Beijing-based diplomatic corps, defence attaches and foreign media professionals today attended a reception hosted by the Indian Embassy here ahead of the 68th Republic Day.
China's Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou was the Chief Guest at the reception.
Addressing the gathering, Indian Ambassador to China Vijay Gokhale said 2016 was an important year in India-China relations as a number of bilateral visits took place.
From the Indian side, last year was marked by the visits of the president, the ministers of defence and finance, the National Security Advisor, while China's Secretary of Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, State Councillor, Foreign Minister and Chairman of National Development and Reforms Commission visited India, he said.
On the state of relations between the two countries, Gokhale quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments made in New Delhi on January 17 in which he said, "I see the development of India and China as unprecedented opportunity for our two countries and the whole world".
"At the same time it is not unnatural for two large neighbouring powers to have some differences. In the management of our relationship and for peace and progress in the region, both our countries need to show sensitivity and respect for each other's core concerns and interests," Modi said.
"Building on this momentum, we look forward to work with our Chinese friends to continue our engagement in 2017 and making further progress in our relationship," Gokhale said.
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