Chinese New Year celebrated in Indian cities

The Chinese New Year Carnival and other celebrations were held by the Chinese Embassy in India in New Delhi, and consulates general in Mumbai and Kolkata.

Addressing a gathering in New Delhi, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in India Ma Jia noted that China-India relations have shown a positive momentum of improvement over the past year, and the two sides are seeking to further enhance heart-to-heart communication between the people of the two countries.

Moreover, bilateral trade has performed strongly and bilateral trade volume exceeded $136 billion last year, with a year-on-year growth of 1.5 percent, she said. India's exports to China also increased by 6 percent last year.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The principles, or "Panchsheel", jointly advocated by China, India and Myanmar in June 1954 during late Chinese premier Zhou Enlai's visit to Myanmar, have already become a basic norm governing international relations, Ma pointed out.

Also, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore Ji's visit to China. Tagore had been warmly received in China and said "My heart stays" upon leaving China.

Tagore Ji visited China in 1924 and 1928, symbolizing the essence of ties between the two countries and initiating a new chapter of history in friendship between the two countries.

She said the two countries should carry forward the great Indian poet's legacy to further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

"Today we should further enhance heart-to-heart communication and carry forward Tagore's legacy for China-India friendship," Ma added.