Opinion China and India can be partners in shaping the future of the world
By working together, the two countries can bring stability and progress to Asia and become a pivotal anchor for the world
As fellow emerging economies, China and India have broad prospects and great potential for cooperation across various fields. 
By Xu Wei
Recently, the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was successfully held in Beijing. The session approved the proposal for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which not only charts China’s course for the next five years but also unlocks broad development opportunities for the world.
China and India are not just neighbours; they are partners in shaping the future. Both countries are at a critical stage of national development and rejuvenation. China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the nation on all fronts through modernisation, while India is striving toward its Viksit Bharat by 2047 vision. Development is the most significant common ground and a shared priority for both countries.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China’s economy grew at an average annual rate of 5.5 per cent and is projected to reach about $20 trillion this year. Per capita GDP has remained above $13,000 for two consecutive years. China now ranks among the top 10 in the Global Innovation Index. Renewable energy accounts for about 60 per cent of the total installed power generation capacity, and air, water, and soil quality continue to improve.
The fundamental reason for China’s success lies in the centralised and unified leadership of the CPC, and in its adherence to “drawing a blueprint until it becomes a reality” — scientifically formulating and successively implementing five-year plans. As President Xi Jinping noted, “From the First Five-Year Plan to the 14th Five-Year Plan, the consistent theme has been to build China into a modern socialist country.”
The proposal for the 15th Five-Year Plan sends a strong signal that China will continue to promote high-quality development. As fellow emerging economies, China and India have broad prospects and great potential for cooperation across various fields.
First, trade cooperation is built on a solid foundation. China is one of India’s most important trading partners. From January to October this year, trade volume between the two countries hit $127.63 billion, an 11 per cent year-on-year increase. We welcome friends from the Indian business community to make full use of platforms such as the Canton Fair, the China International Import Expo to introduce more high-quality products and services to consumers in both countries.
Second, industrial collaboration is defined by complementary strengths. China, the world’s largest manufacturing economy, boasts the most complete industrial system and strong capabilities in electronics, infrastructure, new energy, and AI. India excels in IT, software development, and biopharmaceuticals. Synergy between China and India will yield mutual benefits and enhance both countries’ positions in global industrial and value chains.
Third, people-to-people exchanges have borne rich fruit. China and India share a long history of friendly exchanges. India — with yoga, Bollywood movies, and Darjeeling tea — holds diverse cultural appeal for the Chinese people. This year, China resumed Indian pilgrimages to the sacred mountain and holy lake in the Xizang Autonomous Region, and India reinstated tourist visas for Chinese citizens. Recently, several direct flights have been restored, making personnel exchanges more convenient.
Fourth, multilateral cooperation serves broad common interests. As important members of multilateral mechanisms such as BRICS, the SCO, and G20, our two countries should enhance coordination on major international and regional issues, jointly address challenges such as climate change, food security, and public health, and work together towards an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive form of economic globalisation.
One hundred years ago, when Rabindranath Tagore first set foot in China, he said, “I always feel that India has been one of China’s extremely close relatives, and China and India have been enjoying time-honoured and affectionate brotherhood.” This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Under the strategic guidance of our leaders, China-India relations have continued to improve and develop. When the dragon and the elephant move in step, the dance not only brings stability and progress to Asia, but it also adds a pivotal anchor for the world.
The writer is the Chinese Consul General in Kolkata
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