Amid reports that China and India will hold their first joint military exercise next month, the two countries yesterday reiterated they were ready to take their strategic cooperative partnership to a "new level".
Premier Wen Jiabao met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the East Asian Summit. Then, Indian Defense Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said about 100 troops from both the countries will take part in the military drill.
"The joint exercise, to be held in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, will focus on counter-terrorism measures," the Australian Associated Press quoted Kar as having said yesterday. "This is important to boost bilateral ties."
At their meeting, Wen and Singh agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy security and fighting climate change. They also vowed to resolve the boundary issue through "mutually acceptable" means.
"The long-term friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation for common development between China and India will profoundly influence the look of Asia and the world at large," Wen said.
"It has been proved that the China-India friendly and cooperative relationship has benefited the two peoples and promoted peace, south-south cooperation and world development."
Corroborating the premier, Singh said India-China ties are above and beyond bilateral matters. They are interested in peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. "India and China are not rivals, but friends and partners."
On the border issue, Wen said: "We are glad to see that both sides have the sincerity and determination to resolve it."
Arduous efforts are needed to solve the pending issue through consultation and mutual understanding and concessions, he said.
The Indian government, Singh said, is politically determined to resolve the boundary issue. India will work with China to overcome the obstacles and push forward the negotiations.
China and India have held 11 rounds of talks on the boundary issue, which Wen described as "pragmatic and effective".
Questions:
1.How many troops in each country will take part in the drill?
2.The joint exercise will take place in which Chinese province?
3.What did the Australian press quote Kar as saying is the main focus of the measures?
Answers:
1.100.
2.Yunnan.
3.Counter-terrorism measures.
（英語點津 Celene 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
