In a public statement that highlights the evolving dynamics of China-India relations, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong has called for India to take “positive measures” to resume direct flights and facilitate visa access for Chinese citizens. Speaking at an event on Thursday, Xu emphasized the need for both countries to provide a conducive environment for bilateral business and cooperation, despite the ongoing military standoff in the Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The standoff, which began in 2020, has strained relations between the two nations, taking them to their lowest point in over six decades. While India has maintained that peace and stability along the border are crucial for any normalization of ties, China has urged for a broader outlook that allows collaboration on multiple fronts without being overshadowed by the border issue.
Xu’s remarks, however, notably avoided direct reference to the face-off at the LAC, now in its fifth year. He stated that China and India should “prevent cooperation from being disrupted by a single incident” and focus on mutual growth. “We are willing to advance exchanges and cooperation with India in fields such as science, technology, education, culture, and tourism. We also expect positive measures from India in resuming direct flights and facilitating visas for Chinese citizens,” he said.
China: Call for a Sound Business Environment
The ambassador also highlighted the importance of trade and business between the two nations. “We welcome more Indian commodities to enter the Chinese market and invite Indian enterprises to invest in China. It is hoped that India will provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises,” Xu added.
Since the border standoff began, India has imposed several restrictions on Chinese investments, banning more than 400 Chinese apps, including TikTok, and limiting the issuance of visas for Chinese citizens. Direct flights between the two countries were also halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Indian businesses have raised concerns over the need for Chinese experts to visit India for critical operations, including installing equipment and training staff in various industries.
Ongoing Scrutiny of Chinese Investments
Despite these calls for resuming flights and easing visa norms, the relationship between India and China remains tense. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has publicly acknowledged that India faces a “special China problem,” with the LAC standoff underscoring the need for careful scrutiny of Chinese investments and economic relations.
In 2023, trade between the two nations reached $136.2 billion, with the balance heavily tilted in China’s favor—Chinese exports accounted for more than $100 billion of this figure. While trade has ballooned, India has consistently raised concerns about the lack of market access for its goods in China.
Pushing for Global Cooperation
Xu Feihong also took the opportunity to pitch China’s role in modernizing the Global South, urging joint efforts with India. “We need to properly handle differences through dialogue and steadily promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields,” he stated. According to Xu, Chinese enterprises have created jobs in India, and more than 400,000 visas have been issued to Indian citizens over the past year.
His comments came shortly after meetings between China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian counterparts, including Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, which Xu claimed had led to an “important consensus” on improving bilateral ties.
While the specifics of these discussions remain unclear, Xu’s message is clear: both nations must “firmly steer” their relationship in the right direction, addressing major concerns while preventing individual incidents from derailing cooperation.