China's top diplomat Wang to visit India for border talks
BEIJING (AFP): China's top diplomat will visit India next week for talks about their shared boundary, Beijing's foreign ministry said on Saturday, as the two countries consider resuming border trade after a five-year halt.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on Delhi's invitation from Monday (Aug 18) until Wednesday for "the 24th special representatives meeting on the China-India border issue", a spokesperson said in a statement.
Past trade between the neighbours across icy, high-altitude Himalayan border passes was usually small in volume, but any resumption is significant for its symbolism.
It stopped following a deadly 2020 clash between border troops.
Indian media reported this week that Wang was expected for talks in New Delhi on Monday.
He will meet Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval, New Delhi's foreign ministry confirmed in a statement on Saturday.
Wang will also hold talks with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who visited Beijing in July, the statement said.
The two major economic powers have long competed for strategic influence across South Asia.
However, they have moved to mend ties after being caught up in global trade and geopolitical turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz.
Chinese and Indian officials have said in recent weeks that the two countries were discussing the resumption of border trade.
Agreements to resume direct flights and issue tourist visas have also been seen as part of an effort to rebuild their relationship. - AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysia Sun
4 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
"May India-Israel friendship continue to flourish": PM Modi thanks Israeli PM Netanyahu on Independence Day wishes
New Delhi [India], August 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed thanks to his Israeli counterpart after Benjamin Netanyahu wished him and the people of India on the 79th Independence Day. PM Modi said in a post on X, 'Thank you PM Netanyahu for your warm wishes. May India-Israel friendship continue to both countries further strengthen and deepen this relationship bringing peace, development as well as security to our people.' Earlier on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on extended warm greetings to India on the occasion of its 79th Independence Day. In a series of posts on X shared on the Israeli Prime Minister's account, Netanyahu said, 'Congratulations to my dear friend @PMOIndia @narendramodi and the people of India on your Independence Day' Highlighting that India and Israel are proud democracies bound by history, innovation and friendship, Netanyahu said that the best chapters of the partnership still lie ahead. 'Israel and India are two proud democracies, bound by history, innovation, and friendship. Our nations have achieved much together and the best chapters of our partnership still lie ahead.' In his 12th Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered bold announcements that indicate India is poised to make significant progress into the Modi outlined plans for various initiatives, including the production of India's first semiconductor chip, the development of jet engines, the creation of 1 lakh crore in youth employment opportunities, and a tenfold expansion of the nuclear program. He presented his vision for 'Naya Bharat' (New India) and set the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. On India's 79th Independence Day, warm wishes and greetings poured in from across the world, reflecting the country's growing global stature and strong international friendships. (ANI)
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Zimbabwean minister hails Chinese-invested steel plant for boosting industrialization
HARARE, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere has said the Chinese-invested Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) has boosted the country's industrialization efforts. Speaking during a media tour on Friday, Muswere hailed the project as one of the success stories under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, noting that it reflects Zimbabwe's quest to attain industrial sovereignty. "For many decades, Zimbabwe has been importing steel worth billions of dollars, but with the coming on board of Dinson, the country is now benefiting from import substitution," Muswere said. He said the steel plant, which was granted a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) certificate, as well as the developer and operator permits by the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency last week, will enhance mineral beneficiation and value addition, thereby boosting employment creation and contributing to Zimbabwe's economic growth. Xu Kemin, chief executive officer of Dinson Group, said the SEZ status will help unlock Zimbabwe's industrialization potential and contribute to the country's economic growth. "We will be available to host new investment into the industrial park, especially in the zone. We believe that the zone is going to be the most successful, most vibrant zone in the country," Xu said, adding that the steel plant will be the anchor project in the industrial zone where upstream and downstream businesses are welcome to invest. DISCO, a subsidiary of China's Tsingshan Holding Group, commenced construction of the steel plant in Midlands Province in 2022 and aims to make Zimbabwe a major regional player in steel production.
BusinessToday
6 hours ago
- BusinessToday
Malaysia Records 1.8 Million Chinese Tourist Arrivals In First 5 Months
Nearly 1.8 million visitors from China travelled to Malaysia between January and May this year, following the government's decision to introduce a visa waiver for Chinese nationals. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the policy, which took effect in 2024, had driven a sharp rise in arrivals, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 3.4 million last year. 'Among these efforts, we invited more than 100 imams from China and Europe to experience first-hand Malaysia's Muslim-friendly tourism concept, which is suitable for people of all backgrounds and religions,' he told the Dewan Rakyat during the oral question-and-answer session today. He was replying to Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH–Balik Pulau), who had asked about the ministry's measures to attract Muslim tourists from China. Khairul Firdaus added that the ministry, together with the travel agency association, was actively pursuing promotional campaigns targeting Chinese tourists, particularly those seeking Muslim-friendly experiences. In response to a separate question from Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PN–Dungun) on ensuring the east coast states also benefit economically, the deputy minister said integrated promotions were being undertaken via Tourism Malaysia and the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC). These, he said, highlighted attractions such as the Crystal Mosque to audiences in ASEAN, Europe, China, Japan and South Korea. 'However, it is also closely linked to the culture of the local community and when we are able to promote these elements, it will create spillover benefits for industries such as homestays, handicrafts and traditional foods,' he said.
