The Chinese Foreign Ministry spoke positively on Monday about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks about India-China relations, saying Beijing is committed to pushing forward bilateral ties along a path of healthy and stable development.

Speaking at a regular news conference, the ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that being partners for mutual achievement and realizing a scenario where "the dragon and the elephant dance together" is the only right choice for China and India.

Mao's comment came as Modi signaled a hopeful outlook on India's ties with China in a recent conversation with US-based podcaster Lex Fridman.

He stressed the need to prioritize dialogue over discord and acknowledged that strong relations between India and China are not only beneficial for the two nations but also critical for global stability, according to a report by Indian news website Sakshi Post on Sunday.

Modi also talked about the deep cultural ties that bind the two nations, likening their differences to those within a family — inevitable but manageable, the report said.

Mao said Beijing appreciated the positive statement of the Indian prime minister on China-India relations.

Improved ties

In the past few years, the border incidents caused considerable strain between the two countries. In October, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Modi in Kazan, Russia, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, providing strategic guidance for the improvement and development of bilateral ties.

"Both sides have been earnestly implementing important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and strengthening exchanges at all levels and practical cooperation, achieving a series of positive outcomes," Mao said.

She said that in the over 2,000 years of history of exchanges between China and India, friendly interactions and mutual learning have been the mainstream, making significant contributions to world civilization and human progress.

"As the two largest developing countries, both countries are striving to achieve revitalization and development. They should understand and support each other and succeed together," the spokeswoman said.

"This is in line with the fundamental interests of the more than 2.8 billion people of both countries, meets the common aspirations of the regional countries, conforms to the historical trend of the rise of the Global South, and is conducive to global peace, stability, and development."

Mao expressed China's willingness to work together with India to seize the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India this year to promote exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in all fields.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn