NEW DELHI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The following are some quotable quotes made by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his stay here Thursday, the second day of his three-day official visit to India.
-- "The relationship between China and India has experienced an unusual course of development over the past 60 years," Wen said when meeting with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.
"However, friendly cooperation has always been the main stream, which is not only in the interest of both countries and peoples, but also helpful for the peace and development of the region and the world at large," he added.
"The two countries should grasp historical opportunity to boost political and strategic mutual trust and promote China-Indian relations to move forward along the track of lasting friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development."
"I hope my current visit is the one to carry on the past and open a way for future, which will further enhance our win-win cooperation."
-- "China and India agree there is enough space in the world for the development of both countries and enough areas for them to cooperate," Wen said when addressing the Indian Council of World Affairs.
"Such important consensus is deeply rooted in the time-honored cultural traditions of the two countries and our long history of exchanges," Wen said, adding: "It comes from our correct reading of the international situation and keen understanding of our national interests."
"We should seize the opportunities and lose no time in expanding and deepening our converging interests and actively advance strategic cooperation and practical cooperation."
"China stands ready to work with India to intensify exchanges and multi-level consultations between political parties and in the military field to enhance political and strategic mutual trust."
On the China-India boundary question, Wen said it was a "historical legacy" and its resolution requires patience.
"It will not be easy to completely resolve this question. It requires patience and will take a fairly long period of time," he said.
On the trans-border rivers, Wen described them as "a source of livelihood for the people living along the rivers."
"To properly preserve, utilize and manage the trans-border rivers is our shared responsibility," he said.
"China takes seriously India's concern about the trans-border rivers, and we are ready to further improve the joint working mechanism," he said.
"We will do whatever we can and do it even better," he said, adding: "All the upstream development activities by China will be based on scientific planning and study and will never harm downstream interests."
-- "A stable and prosperous India not only benefits the Indian people, but also is conducive to peace and development in the region and the world as a whole," Wen said when meeting with Indian President Pratibha Patil.
"China is willing to work together with India, from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, to push for more fruitful cooperation between the two sides in various fields including politics, economy, science and technology, and culture so as to realize common prosperity," he said.
-- "Progress can be achieved as long as we brave the difficulties and make unremitting efforts," Wen said when meeting with Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari.
"China and India are partners, not rivals," Wen said, adding: "I hope this can be a firm faith of both sides."
-- During his meeting with the president of the Indian National Congress (INC) party, Sonia Gandhi, Wen recalled the historic visit of then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to China in 1988, saying the visit had turned a new chapter of bilateral relations.
"History has proved that he was a man of vision," Wen said of Rajiv Gandhi.
The CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with the INC, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and boost the development of the China-India ties, as well as the inter-party relations, Wen said.
