Xinhua is the official news agency of the People's Republic of China

NEW DELHI (Nov. 28) XINHUA - Both China and India are now facing the task of developing the economy and improving the livelihood of their people, said Chinese President Jiang Zemin upon arrival here on a four-day state visit.

In a written statement released at the airport, Jiang said: "As two most populous developing countries in the world, both have on our shoulders the heavy task."

The visit, the first ever by a Chinese head of state to the country since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1950, is aimed at enhancing understanding, deepening friendship, increasing trust and promoting cooperation, said the president who came by special plane.

"China and India are close neighbors and our two peoples enjoy a profound traditional friendship," Jiang noted.

Jiang said he expected to meet with and discuss issues of common concern with Indian President Shankar Dayal Sharma and Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

The Chinese president praised India as a great country and its people as an industrious and talented people who are creators of a time-honored civilization and splendid culture.

"The Indian people have worked new wonders in building up their nation after winning independence," he added.

To establish and develop a long-term and stable relationship between the two countries, mutually-beneficial cooperation is necessary, the Chinese president said in the statement.

The cooperation should be carried out on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence jointly initiated by China and India in 1954.

The principles not only serve the fundamental interests and common wishes of the two peoples, but contribute to peace, stability and development of Asia and the entire world as well, Jiang said.

The five principles are mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; mutual non-aggression; non-interference in each other's internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence

At the airport to welcome the Chinese president and his entourage were Indian Prime Minister Deve Gowda and Minister of External Affairs I.K. Gujral.

Members of Jiang Zemin's entourage include Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, Special Assistant Zeng Qinghong, Civil Affairs Minister Doje Cering, Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Minister Wu Yi, Special Assistant Wang Weicheng, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region Gyaincain Norbu and Chinese Ambassador to India Pei Yuanying.

The Chinese president flew in from Manila where he attended the Fourth Informal Leadership Conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and paid a two-day state visit to the Philippines.

His current visit will also take him to Pakistan and Nepal. Before departure from Manila, Philippine President Fidel Ramos went to Jiang's hotel to see him off.

The Chinese president said that good neighborliness, trust and cooperation will be the guidelines for developing 21st-century-oriented bilateral relations.

Ramos agreed with Jiang while congratulating the Chinese president on his "successful" state visit, the first by a Chinese head of state.

Copyright 1996