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China thanks India for backing its efforts

— Photo: PTI

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and Chinese Minister of International Department Wang Jia Rui sign an MoU in Beijing on Thursday. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping and Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma look on.

Beijing: China on Thursday thanked India for taking “effective” steps to ensure the smooth run of the Olympic torch relay in New Delhi and for backing Beijing’s efforts to stage a “unique and well-run” Games.

Chinese Vice-President and top Communist leader Xi Jinping stated this during a meeting with visiting UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi here.

Mr. Xi said India ensured the success of the Indian leg of the Olympic torch relay in New Delhi. Pro-Dalai Lama Tibetan protesters had threatened to sabotage the torch relay in New Delhi on April 17.

“For that, we express our deep gratitude,” Mr. Xi, who is tipped to succeed Chinese President and CPC general secretary Hu Jintao when he completes his term in 2012, told Ms. Gandhi during a 30-minute meeting. During her talks with Mr. Xi, Ms. Gandhi lauded the leadership for hosting the Olympics.

“I believe the support of the whole International Olympic family, of course, including the Indian Olympic Committee, and with the efforts of all athletes and coaches from all around the world, we are going to make the Olympic Games in Beijing a unique and well run one,” he said.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and Wang Jia Rui, Minister at the International Department of the Communist Party of China, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma and India’s Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao were also present.

Ms. Gandhi is here along with her family to witness the opening ceremony of the Olympics at the invitation of the CPC. Later, the Congress party and the CPC agreed to promote regular exchanges. Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Wang signed an MoU in this regard. — PTI

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