Indian MPs in China on a 'learning' trip

BEIJING, JULY 1. A high-profile team of parliamentarians, trade union leaders and industrialists, led by the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, Ms. Najma Heptulla, arrived here today for a week-long visit to take a close look at China's bold reforms, economic turnaround and assess business opportunities for India.

The visit, at the invitation of the senior Chinese leader and National People's Congress chairman, Mr. Li Peng, is expected to further improve the bilateral, political and business relationship, official sources said.

``The visit will enable the MPs, trade union leaders and businessmen have a better perspective of China at a time when there are a number of rumours in India about China's competitiveness and manufacturing capabilities,'' an official said. The visit also comes at a time when the bilateral trade is surging and Indian exports are growing at a faster pace than Chinese exports to India.During her stay in Beijing, Ms. Heptulla, who is also the president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, will meet Mr. Li, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Zhu Rongji.

In Beijing, the delegation will split into two groups. The MPs will visit Urumqi, capital of the north-west Xinjiang province, where the native Uygur Muslims form the majority. The oil rich province is fast developing into a major business centre. Later, they will travel to the booming east China metropolis of Shanghai to witness its transformation.

- PTI

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Section  : International
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