[By Guancha Observer Network, Wang Yong; Edited by Zhao Qiankun]
On April 13th, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong posted on social media that as of April 9th, China had issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens this year. "Welcome more Indian friends to visit China and personally experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere, and friendly China."
Previously, Ambassador Xu also published a signed article titled "China-India Relations: Looking Back, Facing the Future" in The Hindu, emphasizing that China and India should develop a healthy, stable, mutually beneficial, and internationally collaborative China-India relationship.
According to comprehensive reports from sources such as The Economic Times of India and Travel & Tourism World of the United States, the increase in approval numbers for Indian citizens' visas signifies a growing volume of personnel movement between India and China. Under the current complex international situation, this move by China not only benefits students, businesspeople, and travelers but also powerfully promotes the deepening of diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries.
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The report mentioned that China has traditionally been a popular destination for Indian students (especially medical students), with thousands of students currently studying in China. The increase in visa numbers is an important measure to strengthen civilian ties and is seen as a result of China's "proactive promotion" of cross-border exchanges, reflecting its determination to revitalize cultural, educational, commercial, and tourism exchanges between the two countries.
The Chinese Embassy in India particularly pointed out that these visas cover multiple purposes including business, tourism, study, work, and family visits. As global travel orders gradually return to normal, people-to-people exchanges centered around students, tourists, professionals, and families are ushering in a hopeful prospect, where these groups will play a key role in enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries.
In addition, Chinese embassies and consulates in India have actively held promotional activities for Chinese tourist resources, aiming to attract more Indian tourists to visit China. These new measures reflect China's positive attitude towards deepening Sino-Indian cultural exchanges.
On April 2nd, at the reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India, Xu Feihong mentioned that friendly exchanges and cooperation are the "basic color" of Sino-Indian relations. The development of Sino-Indian relations not only benefits world prosperity and stability but also contributes to the realization of multipolarity in the world. Looking back at history, China and India are like twin lotus flowers, interconnected and learning from each other. Stories such as Xuanzang's westward journey to seek Dharma and Bodhidharma's eastward crossing to spread teachings have become fine examples of exchanges between the two countries. In recent years, bilateral trade has risen from less than $3 billion in 2000 to $138.5 billion in 2024, with continuous expansion of cooperation in culture, education, tourism, and other fields.
Ambassador Xu previously told the media, "I often receive complaints from some Indian and Chinese friends because there are no direct flights, making transfers in third countries time-consuming and inconvenient. They eagerly look forward to the early restoration of passenger direct flights between the two countries." "At present, both sides' competent authorities are having intensive communications on restoring direct flights and discussing specific plans. We sincerely hope that the Indian side will cooperate with us to promote substantive progress in these matters at an early date, thereby enhancing personnel exchanges and cooperation levels between the two countries."
The above media reports mentioned that the crucial cultural bonds and confidence in cross-border mobility between China and India, two of Asia's largest economies, are expected to be re-established. At the beginning of this year, China and India agreed to restore interrupted direct flights between the two countries, striving to resolve differences in trade and economic issues. The Indian Foreign Ministry stated that both parties will "as soon as possible" hold negotiations to reach a framework for restoring direct flight services. Previously, airlines from both countries had regularly operated routes between cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
On January 27th, the deputy foreign minister-level dialogue between China and India was held in Beijing, focusing on promoting the implementation of important consensuses reached during the meeting between leaders of the two countries in Kazan, studying measures to improve Sino-Indian relations, and reaching six points of consensus, including "restoring direct flights between mainland China and India," involving time allocation, ground handling, and regulatory compliance.
The report also mentioned that IndiGo Airlines and Air India are expected to be among the first to restore direct flights between the two countries.
For Chinese airlines, the potential of entering the Indian market is worth looking forward to, and their entry can also provide Indian consumers with more affordable travel options, especially for those who need to travel to China for business or leisure.
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Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493123322314588723/
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