On January 19, China-India Trade & Investment Cooperation Forum was held in Beijing. Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming, Indian Minister of Commerce & Industry Sharma and Vice Governor of Yunnan Gu Chaoxi attended the forum and delivered speeches. Besides, Rahul Khullar, Secretary of Commerce & Industry of India, and Dr. S. Jaishankar, Indian Ambassador to China, were also present.

According to Chen, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic ties. It is meaningful for businessmen of both countries to discuss around the theme of "innovation, development, cooperation and win-win". Since the 21st century, the economy of India has developed rapidly and its international status is rising, which has made India one of the emerging developing countries arousing world's attention. As a friendly neighbor of India, China feels happy for India's such achievements in its development. China and India are two largest developing countries in the world, with about 40% of the world population. The mutual cooperation and development not only meets the fundamental interests of the people from both countries and benefits each other in enhancing international competitiveness but also has great impacts on the world peace and development.

Chen put forward four suggestions on the sound and sustainable development of the economic and trade relations of both countries. Firstly, promote the balanced development of the bilateral trade. The South Asian Countries Commodity Fair will be jointly hosted by Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Provincial Government of Yunnan since 2010 through which we will promote the bilateral trade to cover more sectors and deepen the development. Meanwhile, we hope that India will provide more supports for Chinese enterprises investing in India. Secondly, encourage investment in each other. China welcomes Indian businessmen to invest in China and also supports Chinese enterprises to invest in India. Particularly, in investment cooperation in hi-tech field, China hopes that India will facilitate investment of Chinese enterprises in India. Thirdly, make the economy and trade more complementary and expand common interests. India has a huge growing consumption market, high quality workforce and developed information industry while China has a huge consumption market and outstanding manufacturing industry. Thus, the two countries can draw on each other's advantages and make up for own weak points. Additionally, both sides can also discuss on the cooperation in the infrastructure like transportation and logistics. Fourthly, enhance the exchanges among chambers of commerce, associations and enterprises of both countries, extend and consolidate the foundation for the economic and trade cooperation. Both sides should give full play to the roles of the chambers of commerce and associations of the two countries in bridging communication gaps so as to help enterprises of both countries know each other better, explore the markets and enhance enthusiasm and initiative of enterprises in cooperation.

Sharma stated that as two large countries with rapid development, India and China had made great contributions to the recovery of the world economy and sustainable development. Both sides shared common interests and similar standpoints and closely cooperated in many international issues. Leaders of the two countries have charted the course for the bilateral relations that both sides should enhance the cooperation, constantly increase the bilateral trade and investment and make the partner relations more solid.

This forum was hosted by Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry, co-organized by China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronics Products, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. Those who were present included about 500 representatives from over 300 enterprises of China and over 50 enterprises of India. During the Forum, China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronics Products and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry signed MOU on cooperation.

Chen also met with the representatives of enterprises from the two countries prior to the forum.