From India to China 6Th Century BC

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Vol 1, Issue 4, March-April 2011 Importance of Truth

Editor-in-Chief It was the winter of 1986. The hills of Darjeeling were on fire. A little- Mohammed Saqib known former school teacher’s rant had turned into a revolution. Subash Ghising had been for long talking about a homeland for those he called the Editor Gorkhas – different from Nepalis – the original inhabitants of the land, Prashun Bhaumik and hence his demand for a Gorkhaland. For years nobody paid him much Editorial Board attention but suddenly he seemed to have caught the collective imagination. Abid Hussain And soon the beautiful hills of Darjeeling wore a different look. Deserted! Mani Shankar Aiyar No tourists flocking the Mall which at times made it look like an extension P.S. Deodhar of Calcutta. I was quite happy to have Darjeeling all to myself – having Dilip Cherian Amir Ullah Khan paradropped there as a cub reporter with little experience much to the envy of Parama Sinha Palit my senior colleagues at The Telegraph. Chen Si (China) The lack of tourists was amply made up by thousands of para-military men who joined forces with the local police to nip the agitation. The Rabindra Editorial Team Anchit Goel Bhavan opposite the Raj Bhavan no longer had space for cultural evenings; Irfan Alam it had turned into a garrisson – the top cop from Calcutta leading the charge Manju Hara having decided to make it his HQ and the control room for the operations in Harshie Wahie the hills. The violence escalated over the next two years and would claim more Sumelika Bhattacharyya than a thousand lives. Design As I took my tentative bus ride up the hills on that cold Jauary evening, I Manoj Raikwar was not sure of what was in store for me. A scruffy old Nepali sitting next to me struck up a conversation just as we were turning into Ghoom, the highest Printed and Published by point before the road dips and curls into the main bazaar of Darjeeling and India China Economic and onto the bus stand. Before he got off at the Darjeeling Taxi Union office, he Cultural Council K-19 (GF), South Extension-II casually asked me if I would like to meet Ghising. Trying not to jump off my New Delhi- 110049 seat I managed a yes. His cryptic reply, “meet me here in two hours.” That evening I met the GNLF leader at transporter Lakpa Dong’s home. address for all correspondence The next day The Telegraph ran with the front page super lead of Ghising’s India China Economic and interview calling for an armed struggle. Over the next months I was busy Cultural Council K-19 (GF), South Extension-II trudging the hills up and down on foot to cover every incident that I heard New Delhi- 110049 of, while my senior counterparts from other newspapers and wire agencies Telefax: 011-46550348 faithfully reported what the police control room doled out (on phone). Least to say the administration was not happy with me. Printed AT Print Vision Private Limited One morning when I walked into Rabindra Bhavan as part of my usual Print Vision House, Lane opp. Central rounds, District Magistrate Patra welcomed me as he sat sipping tea next to Bank of India, Ambawadi Market, a fire on the sprawling gardens of the now police control room. The welcome Ahmedabad- 380006 soon turned to threat – it came straight like an arrow – tell us all you know Tel: 079-26405200/26403320 about Ghising and his organization (structure, leadership etc) or we (the state) E-mail: [email protected] don’t talk to you anymore. As Patra put it quite simply, “We have seen so many All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in journalists come and go. You’re only a kid.” I left Rabindra Bhavan that day whole or in part without written never to return. Soon I was labelled a GNLF sympathiser. permission is prohibited. Surely the irony was not lost when a few months later Ghising ordered that I leave the hills. His displeasure – over breakfast at his modest home in All advertising enquiries, comments Jalapahar he scoffed at all those “Nepalis who still hang pictures of their king and feedback are welcome at [email protected] at home” and said “those who had come to Darjeeling post 1964 should be sent home.” What a bombshell! This self-proclaimed leader had unwittingly The information contained in this targeted his main constituency. I duly filed the story. Ghising duly denied it. magazine has been reviewed for It was conveyed to me that I was not wanted in the hills any longer. Soon I felt accuracy and is deemed reliable but is not necessarily complete or the heat, when covering a funeral procession I was suddenly surrounded by guaranteed by the Editor. The views young boys with khukris drawn. But another group came to my rescue. expressed in this digest are solely that It was an important lesson I learnt early on in my journalistic career – that of the writers and do not necessarily journalism is not only about being balanced. It is about the truth. reflect the views of the magazine. CONTENTS

4 Feedback 28 VOICES The media seems to be at war where BUSINESS India and China are concerned. Facts 6 One size do not seem to matter as some Indian media organisations believe that is doesn’t fit all the best way to grab a larger market They have to play with rules set by share. Similar responses are emerging others yet there is hope that the two from the Chinese side as well. The rising nations are likely to play to threat to a stable India-China reinforce each other. relationship seems coming not from the governments, but from sections LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT within the media. We spoke to a cross- section of media representatives to get 10 Grass with no roots their versions. Neither in China will harmony prevail, nor in India inclusive growth survey occur unless we have in both countries a much higher measure of people’s 34 Doomsday involvement in the building of their own lives. Conspirators culture photo features Co-operation rather than conflict should have been the leitmotif of their 44 The Zen of Buddhism 58 Chinese Spring rise as global economic powers, but A religion that had its roots in India both China and India have failed to but blossomed in faraway China. Festival 2011 & The dispel the mutual suspicion that Conference blights bilateral ties. And the media must shoulder a lot of the blame. culture 50 Cultural park 60 Exhibitions & for all religions Trade Show It was the 11th century Tibetan poet In India & In China who once said: “There is no place more powerful for practice, more blessed, or more marvelous than this (Mount Kailash). May all pilgrims and practitioners be welcome.” COVER STORY How true!

culture 53 The groundswell HOSTILE of goodwill Besides Buddhism, two towering figures have epitomized and interview carried forward India-China film review friendship and amity to great heights. MEDIA 24 Media must not economics conference 62 Farewell My Sustained effort by the two governments is the lose its soul 40 Reshaping the Tianchi Lake Prof Tan Chung is at present an Concubine only long term solution to improved media ties. Academic Associate at the University world economy 56 Excuse me while of Chicago and Emeritus Member China and India can complement beyond the great wall of the Institute of Chinese Studies in each other by building good synergy I kiss the sky At this heavenly lake, white c New Delhi. Manju Hara caught up between hardware and software—or 64 A Morning Brush 20 louds drift while the mountains with the professor to understand his in other words between the world’s reach the blue sky. with India views on the prickly media issue. factory and the world’s office.

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how to make an effective policy without compromising its development needs. –Raju Patil, Vice President, Aplab Industries, New Delhi Culture Bridge First of all, let me congratulate you on this excellent issue of India-China Chronicle. I have read all the three issues of this magazine and I must say that this issue was the best. It was fascinating to read the story about the Chinese girl Uma Li, who travelled all the way from China just to learn the Odissi dance. This shows that culture very interesting and provided a good can play a big role in bringing India and analysis of perceptions among Indians China closer. We should have more and Chinese on various aspects of such cultural exchanges, which will India-China relations. There are a lot surely help to bridge the gap between of articles on diplomatic and cultural the two countries. And I am happy that ties between the two countries but not your magazine is contributing towaerds much on the business and economic that goal. aspects. As an industrialist interested Dispelling Stereotypes – Tahera Daud, in doing business with China, I would I read the India-China Chronicle for Delhi University like to read a regular column on how the first time and was very impressed business is done in China and how to by its look and content. In fact it was More on Business overcome the various challenges faced the attractive cover that caught my I happened to come across your by Indian businessmen while doing attention and then of course its unique magazine by chance at a friend’s business with China. content. I don’t think I have seem place and really enjoyed the issue. –Ashok Jindal, any magazine published in India or The cover story “Face 2 Face” was Prakash Industries, Gurgaon elsewhere which entirely focuses on India-China relationship particularly at a time when the two nations are poised for the great leap forward in the global arena. I found the cover story on the perception of people from both the countries of much interest. It goes to show how we get bogged down by stereotypes. I am looking forward to the next issue of the magazine. All the best! –Anshul Jain, Lawyer, New Delhi Lessons from China I always believed that India and China can never be friends and had a very negative perception about the relationship the two countries shared. But after reading the last two issues of this magazine, my perception seems to have undergone some change. I now believe that there are many areas in which the two countries can cooperate and work with each other. I really liked the article on renewable energy policy in India, which brings to light the areas in which India can learn from China on

|4| India-China Chronicle . March-April 2011 INFOCUS | INDIA-CHINA | BUSINESS

India and China doing business together 3 billion in 2000 looks set to cross of it in private sector projects. In the now to a great extent and Chinese the USD 60 billion level. What roads and highways sector, the target companies are back to doing business. accounts for this rapid growth? As I is to push the pace of construction Indian companies have their share of noted, China’s large scale production to 20 km per day. The steel industry, inhibitions, often reflected in anxiety capabilities are an increasingly effective metro projects, railway modernization about their widening exposure to fit for India’s ‘frugal’ economic growth. and ports/airports construction will China. Hopefully, as more business One size The intersection of price, delivery all raise their own demands as well, as gets done, levels of trust too will grow. and quality is today truly a value indeed will telecom where Chinese A second category arises from proposition in a number of fields. As companies already have a strong lack of understanding of the market. a result, for example, the category presence. Aggregating them, it would Chinese companies are still in the ‘electrical machinery’ accounts for 30% be no exaggeration to predict that process of developing an approach for doesn’t fit all of Chinese exports and ‘machinery’ India’s infrastructure demands could the Indian market. Applying a global for 26%. In plain English, Indian well take its economic cooperation template, they expect to send out large companies are sourcing from China for with China to a completely new level. numbers of personnel including in the power generation and telecom sectors, Of course, given the nature of semi-skilled category without giving steel and non ferrous metallurgy, international relations, one cannot rule adequate thought to how they would railways, mining and construction. In out that these calculations could go be received. They are also still mastering addition, they are also using Chinese astray. There are four broad categories the transmission of information components and costs to enhance their competitiveness in the domestic market for consumer goods. The intensely competitive nature of the Indian economy, with its heavy emphasis on pricing, has created a natural market for China. Two developments are of interest to the short term growth of Chinese exports to India. One, there is a stirring interest in the construction industry in India to take advantage of Chinese capabilities, just as their counterparts in power generation have done so successfully. Secondly, Chinese banks and financial institutions have started showing much greater attention to India’s economy. Some early steps taken in project financing also appear to augur well for the future. At present, of risks that need to be effectively without physical demonstration. there are no Chinese banks in India addressed if we are to ensure that this When these approaches are challenged and limited experience in dealing does not happen. The first category because of their unsuitability, they with Indian companies. That could pertains to sentiment and emanates do not always appreciate the need to change rapidly, particularly once an from a complicated history between the change their way of working. In the They have to play with rules set by others yet there is hope that inter-Governmental understanding on two countries. This sometimes makes initial stages, commerce between the banking is concluded. even legitimate policy implementation two nations developed almost on auto- the two rising nations are likely to play to reinforce each other. The India-China fit is not only in by one party appear as a political move pilot with Chinese companies simply terms of the costing. It works equally in the eyes of the other. Last year, responding to Indian demands. It is S Jaishankar scale of change being attempted. India’s development. When scale meets well where capabilities are concerned. Chinese companies initially perceived only now, after a decade, that a debate As developing economies, they also frugality, this becomes the basis for a The areas where China has excess India’s efforts at enforcing its visa is taking place on the optimal strategy he growth stories of India and possess competitive skills in their significant economic interaction. capacity are often those where India policies as a method of disadvantaging for India. The experience of the more China, impressive in recent particular areas of competence. So, what is actually happening faces a deficit. As a result, India has them. Once an effective employment successful Chinese companies points Tyears in their own right, have Where they do diverge is in their between India and China? While emerged as an increasingly significant visa system was put in place, these to their emphasis on localization. As acquired an added sheen. Their paths approach and processes. One is more attention has been focused on the market for Chinese ‘project exports’. In worries slowly dissipated. This year, sourcing from China increases, so of development have in many respects statist, supply driven, collectivist issues in the relationship, it is on the India’s current budget, 46% of the total concerns in India about security too will market demands for greater been unique. This means that they not and goal oriented. The other is more opportunity side that gains have been plan allocations of the government is certification in the telecom industry localization. If they wish to continue only differ from the western experience entrepreneurial, demand influenced, steadily recorded. Out of nowhere, devoted to addressing infrastructure. were similarly interpreted. Addressing growing in India, China’s industry will but from each other as well. Certainly, pluralistic and process focused. If scale within a decade, India has emerged During the current Five Year Plan the certification issue would have obviously have to contemplate greater they do share some similarity in their is the key characteristic of China’s among the top 10 trade partners of (2007-2012), India’s target is to add been smarter than questioning it. In commitments and demonstrate more broad socio-economic goals and the growth, frugality is the hallmark of China. A turnover of less than USD almost 80,000 MW, approximately half any case, that too has been resolved creativity.

A third category of risks arise from familiar with, Indian companies were is concerned, we need to persuade large – in China and internationally. The final analysis, China has an interest in characterized once again by the two political issues. It is not easy to find a late in entering China. Discovering and internationally aspiring Chinese first will probably be necessary for not being perceived by them as utterly countries pushing an agenda that is at neat and ready description for India’s then that the domestic market here was companies of the value of working the second to happen. Today, the lack mercantilist. It is possible that this case least partially shared and raising the ties with China. The relationship largely closed, they saw limited merit in with India. They must get to appreciate of sales by pharmaceutical companies for convergence might appear to some prospect of cooperating to advance undeniably has its share of issues. It has off-shoring their production in China that global corporations elsewhere does not encourage more production in of you as underplaying the competitive their individual interests. We saw this been our endeavour to manage them when they could as well supply from are leveraging Indian IT for low cost China, particularly when the approval nature of the relationship. Protagonists at Copenhagen on climate change. the best we can while searching for a home base where they were more design and target contenting, value process itself is seen as loaded against of the relationship have often pointed Similarly, it was in evidence at the fair and equitable solutions. Perhaps, secure. High domestic demand was a chain optimization, capital efficiency them. India, however, could well out that 99% of the shared history Doha Round on trade rules and the success rate has been higher for the further disincentive to look elsewhere. and product development efficiency. be a significant partner in the context between India and China has been food security. At the G-20, India and first rather than the second aspect of But today, many Indian companies are Indian IT industry has evolved from of demands generated by China’s positive. Yet, since the 1% is of relatively China work together on the reform our approach. But nevertheless, there is thinking global and can no longer afford mere project execution to an end- new health reforms. A greater import recent vintage, it tends to assume an of financial institutions. The BRIC today a considerable degree of stability to ignore the world’s second largest to-end solution provider. Domain of Indian pharmaceuticals would be importance beyond its quantitative provides a forum for discussing broader and predictability in the relationship economy. They are prepared to take expertise attained by working with an important sign of China’s intent in aspect. The reality is complex and questions. Indeed, as both China and which then allows it to exploit the risks in a new environment. As a result, global corporations can be leveraged by this field. need not necessarily be negative. Some India become more global in their opportunities more effectively. At a growing number of Indian companies Chinese corporations. The industry’s The Indian engineering industry is convergence has manifested itself in interests, their points of intersection are times, specific problems appear to are setting up shop, arriving at the best track record of delivering mission also exploring opportunities in China the recent past though it was obscured steadily growing. They encounter each create downward spikes. But the fact approach through trial and error. They critical solutions based on international more aggressively. Not surprisingly, they by larger developments. Those familiar other in more ways and in more places remains that neither side has an interest are, no doubt, walking down a path that quality standards can enhance overall encounter a combination of regulations, with colonial history may recall that than ever before. They share similarities in eroding hard-won gains. Both would their counterparts in the developed efficiency and competence of Chinese policies and vendor practices that the Indian independence movement not just in size, culture and history but

be globally weakened if there is a general companies and help position them as make this a daunting challenge. Apart actually enjoyed considerable support in aspirations and agendas as well. perception that they cannot manage Indian companies have their global companies. from their own marketing and brand amongst the Chinese intelligentsia. The challenge before them today is to their differences. Business does require share of inhibitions, often A second area of challenge is in building efforts, it is possible that the Equally, China’s travails in the 1930s elevate this convergence from a matter confidence. It is, therefore, incumbent pharmaceuticals. Indian domestic growing Chinese involvement with and 40s evoked great sympathy among of necessity to a matter of choice. on both countries to ensure that their reflected in anxiety about industry was worth US $ 11 billion in infrastructure building in India will Indian nationalists. Even today, an Progress in that regard would depend relations retain a positive trajectory their widening exposure to 2009 and is expected to rise to US$ 30 create relationships that can assist in Indian medical mission that was sent on the sharpness of their realization if their economic cooperation is to billion by 2020. India produces more that process. A fourth area of focus is out in 1938 remains a popular symbol that for all their achievements, they prosper. China. Hopefully, as more than 20% of the world’s generics and agriculture and food products, where of that bonding. In the 1950s, the two still operate in a world where the rules The fourth category emanates business gets done, levels with US$ 70 billion worth of drugs our negotiations are hastening more countries found themselves pushing are not made by them. A rising China the current structure of interaction. expected to go off patent in the next slowly than we would like. This is clearly parallel agendas on the global scene. seeks to revise this in its favour just as Continued and rapid expansion of of trust too will grow. three years in the US alone, this is going to be a test in perseverance. They both had an interest in advancing a rising India will. What remains to trade and investment needs a broad clearly an area that will see considerable Doing business together involves decolonization, and as emerging be seen is whether their efforts would perception that benefits of cooperation world have trodden before, except that growth. To a joint venture partner, addressing each other’s concerns. That major polities, in resisting Cold War reinforce each other.  are equitably shared. Large and the Chinese competition has got much Indian industry brings branding, is not yet happening adequately. As bloc politics. It is, of course, a matter recurring trade deficits obviously do tougher in the meanwhile. There is domain expertise, knowledge support a result, many segments of the Indian of history that by the beginning of not contribute to that view, particularly no ‘one size fits all’ solution. In some and international networking. Contract business community find it hard to 1960s, their relationship deteriorated when they reflect the market access sectors, we need to project our value as manufacturing in India is growing approach China with an open mind. significantly and it took decades for it position. If the Indian economy’s global partners. In others, we need to rapidly and the US FDA has approved They cannot understand why Indian to get back on track. The short point frugality is the secret of China’s success provide reassurance as a local presence. more sites in India than in any country IT, pharmaceuticals or engineering is that there is history, even recent there, the formula for Indians making it There are four thrust areas in India’s outside the US. There are considerable which are competitive globally history, of working together. in China is still evolving. For a variety market development strategy for opportunities today for Indian and somehow don’t seem to succeed in the This fact is important because Dr S Jaishankar is India’s Ambassador of reasons that many of you would be China. Where information technology Chinese companies to work together Chinese domestic market. But, in the today’s international system is to China in Beijing

Local governments in India and China Neither in China will harmony prevail, nor in India inclusive growth occur unless we have in both countries a much higher measure of people’s involvement in the building of their own lives.

Mani Shankar Aiyar so far, indeed, as to suggest that there local government. Yet, the seeds sown be no direct elections at any level other by Gandhiji’s far acuter perception ocal self-government in India is than the village level for he foresaw of India’s basic requirements were itself such a fascinating subject that the higher the level at which votes to sprout within a decade. However, with Lthat one wonders about the were sought, the larger the scope for before we come to that, let us take a Grass need to examine the Indian model in muscle power and money power to look at the origins of China’s current comparison to the Chinese model, de-legitimise the process. (And who thrust to local government. especially since there appears to be can say he was wrong?!) So convinced Of course, like India, China too little in common between the origins was he of the need for what we now through the turbulent millennia of its of local government as an imperative of call “subsidiarity” that he advocated highly sophisticated civilization and no good governance in the two countries; “village republics” – his phrase – complex evolution to contemporary roots the national political context in which where the village community would nationhood had had in place the endeavour is being pursued; be empowered to look after virtually institutions of village governance the purposes which are sought to all its needs, with the ethical coda that that retained their essential character be attained; and the long-term development policy would be limited whatever the complexion of governance consequences that are likely to follow. (or non-governance) at higher levels of Hence, less for comparison than for State administration. In the decades contrast, such an exercise might be the villagers of a small preceding the Chinese communist attempted. village in Anhui Province revolution, it had, of course, been much While in India, the need for more a period of non-governance than Panchayat Raj was articulated by started an experiment governance, and Chairman Mao seems Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of among themselves with to have been content to leave village Independence in the context of administration much as it was in the democratising both the polity and eighteen of the most initial decade after the Revolution society as the sine qua non for the enterprising and daring while concentrating on installing empowerment of the weakest and the placing their thumb altogether newer highly centralised and progress of the poorest, the origins of authoritarian single party governance the present model of local government impressions on a pledge to at the Centre and in the Provinces. in China lie in a people’s response organise themselves But once the Revolution was to the challenge of the anarchical consolidated at the higher echelons conditions that prevailed in the wake of of governance, he launched the the chaos engendered by the Cultural to meeting basic human needs rather programme of communes and Revolution and the high-level political than be driven by the mad scramble for collectivization which placed all power decision to abandon collectivisation more and more and yet more. - political, social and economic - in the and communes as the path to rural Unsurprisingly, the less idealistically- hands of Party cadres to the exclusion resurgence. driven, more practical men of eminence of all others. This led inexorably to the This proposition requires further (with a scattering of women) who Cultural Revolution which traumatised elaboration. constituted the Founding Fathers the nation. After his death in 1976, Asked about the “India of my of our Constitution (there were few China under Deng Xiaoping moved Dreams,” Mahatma Gandhi summed up Founding Mothers) were unimpressed towards a radical reorganisation of his vision for India after Independence and since Gandhiji was, in any case, no both the polity and the economy (while in the following words: “I shall work longer around, conspired, overtly and retaining strict hegemony for the Party for an India in which the poorest shall covertly, to give his vision the quietus over all aspects of national life). feel that it is their country, in whose and get on with modern nation- In the anarchy that followed at making they have an effective voice.” building. Panchayat Raj was, thus, the grassroots level where the extant Please note the stress on sidelined into a couple of lines in the systems of communes and collectives empowerment – “effective voice” – as (unenforceable) Directive Principles were being dismantled with no clear the key to participative development, of State policy and firmly placed in the alternatives being put in place, the to ensuring that the poorest feel “it is State List of Schedule VII as falling villagers of a small village in Anhui their country.” Gandhiji went on to entirely within the jurisdiction of State Province started an experiment among advocate elected village governments legislatures, with the Centre having no themselves with eighteen of the most as the basis of all democracy – going role in promoting or even facilitating enterprising and daring placing their

|10| India-China Chronicle . March-April 2011 March-April 2011 . India-China Chronicle |11| INFOCUS | INDIA-CHINA | LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT thumb impressions on a pledge to Only Empowerment will the goals of genuine Panchayat Raj. But would not do, that a root-and-branch organise themselves for themselves, thus we are running ahead of our story). systemic revolution was needed: that pioneering the Villagers’ Committee lead to Entitlements, and While, therefore, the CDP was “responsive administration” could only (note: not Village Committees) that only Empowerment and forging ahead and gaining kudos at both be secured through “representative constitute the foundation of the system the national level and internationally, administration” which would be that has now come to characterise local Entitlements will together a Study Group was set up under the “responsible” to the community government in contemporary China. lead to Enrichment – the chairmanship of a renowned Gandhian, that elected it. To this end, the After concluding that the Anhui Balwantrai Mehta, whose Report in Asoka Mehta recommendation for venture was worth replicating around three Es to be achieved 1957 must rank as the decisive, path- Constitutional status, sanctity and the country, China initially introduced through the three Fs. Short breaking moment in the endeavour sanction to democratically elected an Organic Law in 1987 permitting of for inclusive governance through Panchayat Raj Institutions was a trial period to watch the working out of that happening, India will grassroots democracy for grassroots revived and the draft Constitutional of a systematic form of elected local prosper but Indians will not development. amendment prepared by L.M. Singhvi government, principally among Party Jawaharlal Nehru promptly and annexed to the Asoka Mehta cadres and committed to continued proceeded to urge all States, all of whom Committee report was elaborated and Party dominance, but aimed at of the participative democratic model were then under Congress governments placed before Parliament on 15 May responding in some measure to the need of Gandhiji’s “India of my Dreams.” (bar Kerala, which ironically has since 1989, at about the same time as China even non-Party elections to the lowest represent single habitations, whereas for providing public goods and services But as a precursor of what was to come, become India’s premier Panchayat Raj started its trial experiments in their tier of governance in India – the village in India State governments are free to to the people, which also provided the CDP was both unprecedented state – “History has,” indeed, as T.S. form of local government. (I had the panchayat – do tend to reinforce rather bunch together habitations into a single employment and, more important, and historic, perhaps the world’s first Eliot said, “many cunning passages!”) privilege of being the Prime Minister’s than undermine multi-party rivalry as village panchayat. While the rationale entrepreneurial opportunities for experiment in consciously fostering to proceed full steam ahead towards principal points-man in drafting the the essence of our democracy. for this is that in densely populated Party cadres and local units of the inclusive village development in legislating the Balwantrai Mehta Constitution amendment and later the But precisely because of the areas, it makes functional sense to ubiquitous People’s Liberation Army. consultation with and with the model of local self-government and country’s first Panchayat Raj minister). interweaving of Party and Government have larger village units, in practice the The system was spectacularly successful involvement of the local community. holding elections to duly empowered However, our amendment did not in China, including at the County, larger the village unit the wider is the in certain key respects, although deeply It also put in place an administrative units of local self-governance. He pass Parliamentary muster during Rajiv Township and Villagers’ Committee spread between the electorate and the disturbing in other respects – both legacy based on development “blocks” himself lit the lamp of Panchayat Raj at Gandhi’s term, but was subsequently levels, problems of devolution elected representative, the principal of which we shall consider presently – as distinct from revenue circles – Nagore in Rajasthan, the constituency passed, with some amendments, by encountered in practice in India cause of the polity being permeated – but sufficiently encouraging for headed by Block Development Officers headquarters of CDP Minister, S.K. Parliament in December 1992 virtually are hardly to be found in China. In with what Rajiv Gandhi in his incorporation in China’s Constitution who, for their time, constituted a Dey, on Gandhi Jayanti 1959, the unanimously. At about the same consequence, local government in Congress centenary speech memorably and the adoption of an Organic dramatic departure from the practices birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi time, the tentative Anhui experiment India tends to be more representative, called “the brokers of power.” On the Law at the 16th Congress in 1998 to of colonial officialdom who concerned in fitting tribute to the intellectual, had blossomed over much of China but local government in China tends to other hand, village assemblies to whom universalise the system. themselves mainly with land revenue moral and spiritual fount of inclusive and China started readying for its be more effective. First, let us consider the village panchayats and Villagers’ In India, rather than go down the collection – the mainstay of British growth through inclusive governance Constitutional amendment and the representativeness. Committees are responsible tend to path charted by Mahatma Gandhi, rural India’s finances - and law and order, but in independent India. elaboration of its Organic Law. The In terms of the numbers entrusted be far livelier in India than in China reconstruction and resurgence started not State-sponsored development. (The But with Pandit Nehru’s passing two endeavours are, therefore, roughly with the responsibility of running largely because the overall ethos in with the top-down, bureaucratically- downside is that the new administrative away in 1964, Panchayat Raj withered comparable in time but the paths they local government, India and China India is that of democratic debate driven Community Development structures and bureaucracy spawned by on the vine and was in a total state of are following are so different that it is are roughly comparable, the larger rather than political conformity. Programme (CDP) which while the CDP have since become a principal disrepair when the first non-Congress contrast, as I said earlier, rather than number in China reflecting the larger Moreover, in the last few years, large revolutionary for its time fell well short stumbling block in effectively realising national government in India, led by comparison that brings out their rural population, in absolute numbers, village assemblies – Gram Sabhas, as Morarji Desai, took office in 1977. respective characteristics. in that country. However, the number the Indian Constitution designates An early step of this government was The most obvious difference is of village units is rather larger because them – are being supplemented by the constitution of the Asoka Mehta that local self-government in India China’s Villagers’ Committees tend to ward-level assemblies, which makes committee to look into issues of local is designed to reinforce our vibrant, for more interactive consideration self-government, but even as the multi-party democracy while China’s of village related issues and a less Committee submitted its report two design principally results in reinforcing forbidding and less superficial forum years later the Morarji government the one-Party nature of their State. The two endeavours of debate than large, unwieldy Gram fell, yet not before the Committee Most candidates in Chinese local are, therefore, roughly Sabhas. Nevertheless, the liveliness and recommended a Constitutional body elections are well recognised modalities of debate in India should amendment to incorporate Panchayat Party cadres and the voter’s choice comparable in time but the not be overstressed because Chinese Raj as a Constitutional and, hence, is generally restricted to choosing paths they are following public opinion, especially at the local ineluctable imperative of our system of between Party leaders rather than level, is becoming increasingly restive governance. veering towards multiple choice based are so different that it is and learning the power of the ballot. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on ideological differentiation and contrast, as I said earlier, Where India scores heavily over (1984-89) initially explored alternative goals. Yet, while multiple China in representativeness is with managerial measures to secure choice among Party leaders in China rather than comparison regard to gender empowerment and “responsive administration” as a at the local level does induce a greater that brings out their affirmative action in favour of the principal goal of governance, but then measure of responsiveness to the local respective characteristics historically disadvantaged. Owing to concluded that managerial measures electorate in the interest of re-election, reservations for women, pitched at

Caste women is of the order of 54%, provides for exclusive community in effectiveness. Under the Indian thus signalling the fact that women’s control over minor forest produce and Constitution, Panchayat Raj being a empowerment through Panchayat Raj the right to be consulted in respect of state subject, State legislatures and, is far ahead in the depressed sections of the exploitation of minerals and other more importantly, state governments society than among the swarn jaati, the forest wealth, a powerful tool to resist have been most reluctant to effectively caste elites that are often portrayed as social exploitation and displacement. devolve the three Fs – Functions, the purveyors of elite capture of local But perhaps precisely because of Finances and Functionaries – to the government units in rural India. In its far-reaching, even revolutionary institutions of local self-government sharp contrast, women’s empowerment implications, it is principally the nor to mobilise the Panchayat Raj through local government in China is utter failure of the state governments system for effective district planning tokenism at best – or, rather, at worst. concerned to faithfully and sincerely as mandated by the Constitution. Resisting the temptation to dwell implement PESA, despite all of Democracy, being a game of numbers, at even greater length on women’s them having passed conformity there is an inexorable push from below empowerment through Panchayat legislation through their respective for more genuine administrative and Raj, let me turn to affirmative action state legislatures, that is, in my view, economic empowerment, but vested through the Panchayat system in favour responsible for a third of the districts bureaucratic and state legislature of the historically disadvantaged – the of India being convulsed, partially or interests are fighting a relentless Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled wholly, in armed insurgency in such rearguard action to delay, derail and Tribes, so called because they are tribal areas, ironically by partisans defer devolution. Only in states RADICAL REORGANISATION: China’s Deng Xiaoping exhaustively listed in Schedules calling themselves “Maoists.” where the political authority has appended to the Constitution. While While parts of China have been demonstrated an over-riding political a minimum of 33% of both seats and reservation of seats for the SC/ST classified as “minority areas” and given will to push Panchayat Raj has there posts, there are as many as 1.2 million in elected bodies has been a defining a fair measure of relative autonomy to been significant progress towards women elected to local government characteristic of Indian democracy manage their affairs, local government effective local self-government. The BUILDING INDIA: Jawaharlal Nehru (left) with Mahatma Gandhi. institutions, about a million in rural since the pre-Independence elections of in China is not used as a tool of social leader of the pack over the last decade areas and the rest in urban areas. Of 1937, Panchayat Raj has been designed engineering, as in India, to right and more has been Kerala, with on is the political will displayed by these, about 86,000 are office bearers. to reflect the social composition of the historical wrongs. Karnataka running a close second, and village assemblies and some states. There is, thus, unlike Bihar, a state generally represented electorate at every level of the three- While, therefore, India scores over some others – West Bengal, Tripura, even individual villagers in China no element of uniformity as being among the most socially tier panchayat system, with the share China on almost all dimensions of Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, in the administrative and economic backward in the country, has pioneered of SC/ST seat reservations being representativeness in local government, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana – in China have far more empowerment of the institutions the innovation of raising the women’s calibrated to the share of these sections where China is far ahead of India is slowly catching up. But most others meaningful access to of local government. The one ray of share of assured seats to 50% (and of the population at each level of the remain reluctant start-ups. hope is that the recommendations of actually electing close to 55% women electorate – village, intermediate and The Central Government has also their locally elected the Thirteenth Finance Commission, to their local bodies as women are district. Reservations apply also to been woefully slow in using its immense representative and the tabled in Parliament a fortnight ago, not obliged to contest only from offices on a rotational basis. financial clout to push for effective provide in principle for massive and reserved seats). Several other state Moreover, for tribal areas listed in Panchayat Raj. More than 75% of all range of issues that can assured transfers of sizeable funds governments followed suit and the the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, funding for anti-poverty and rural be taken up with these for “non- Plan”, that is, maintenance ruling coalition at the Centre have now the Constitution mandates Parliament welfare expenditure comes from the representatives is far wider. and other revenue expenditure. If pledged themselves to a Constitutional to pass legislation relating to Panchayat Central budget. It is delivered through only the Planning Commission in its amendment which will raise the share Raj in such areas. Accordingly, nearly a hundred or more “schemes” of forthcoming mid-term review of the of assured women’s seats to 50%, thus the Provisions of the Panchayats the Central Ministries, each of whom – “shall” clause of the Constitution to say Eleventh raising the number of elected women (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act and, worse, each of which – set up their they are giving the State governments Five-Year Plan were to follow in the representatives to nearly 2 million. were passed in 1996 and has entered own respective silos, insulated from each the “option” of resorting to Panchayat footsteps of the Finance Commission, There are, thus, more elected women the political discourse under the other, to deliver Centrally legislated Raj Institutions but not obliging genuine Panchayat Raj might still be in India alone than in the rest of the acronym PESA. The distinguishing entitlements of public goods and them to do so. Even the Planning achieved within a generation – 25 years world put together; it amounts to feature of this crucial legislation is services to the same set of beneficiaries: Commission, notwithstanding its – of the entry into force in April/May gender empowerment in political and that it empowers Gram Sabhas in Fifth the poor. Notwithstanding explicit own circular of August 2006 insisting 1993 of the relevant provisions of the social terms on a scale which is without Schedule areas to “approve” plans, instructions issued in October 2004 on district planning as provided for in Constitution: the deadline set by Rajiv precedent in world history and projects and programmes proposed by at the instance of the Prime Minister Article 243G read with Article 243ZD Gandhi for himself. without parallel in the contemporary village panchayats as well as “authorise” to all Central Ministers to reorient as the foundation of all planning, has Whether this happens or not world. Moreover, studies conducted the issue of “utilisation certificates,” the their schemes to ensure the centrality not withheld a paisa of Plan allocations depends very much on the sincerity in one state – Karnataka – have shown bureaucratic device – often misused of the panchayats in the planning for want of Panchayat-based district with which the Government takes the that, as against 33% reservations for – by which the bureaucracy is held and implementation of these schemes plans. Prime Minister’s injunction of January Scheduled Tribe women within the responsible for expenditure. In no other – and that too within three months - The absence of any real political 2009 that “Inclusive Growth is not share reserved for the Scheduled area of governance is the authority to not one Central scheme has thus far will on the part of the Centre to insist possible without Inclusive Governance,” Tribes, the actual share of elected tribal issue “utilization certificates” vested been effectively redesigned, Central on effective Panchayat Raj has leached an affirmation not repeated since then women is nearly double at 65%; and in the beneficiary community other Ministers and officials taking shelter the Panchayat Raj system of effective although “Inclusive Growth” remains the comparable figure for Scheduled than under PESA. Further, the Act ROOT-AND-BRANCH: India’s Rajiv Gandhi behind the “may”, as distinct from the devolution. All one is left dependent the arch-stone of the Eleventh Plan.

Indeed, it is disturbing to see the In sharp, even startling contrast which are then appropriated by the Moreover, “mandates” are received Revolution, especially as ever increasing the Second World War, after the dismissive tone of the Government to India’s painfully slow and uneven State government, often for expenditure from above as to what is expected numbers of TVEs are converting miracle of American Capitalism had, with regard to the shocking finding experience of devolution over close to by the State government itself or, more of local bodes, distorting local to joint stock companies and even as John Kenneth Galbraith brilliantly of the UNDP in its latest Human two decades of governance reform, a typically, through their MLAs, that is development priorities. More often proprietorial concerns. But certainly in demonstrated in his book of that name, Development report, released in India period almost equally coincidental with Members of the State Legislature, the than not, the contribution of local comparison with India’s Rural Business shown the way to sustained progress in last October (ironically by the Deputy the much-vaunted economic reforms Vidhan Sabha. officials and elected representatives Hubs that were explicitly urged on defiance of traditional gloomy business Chairman of the Planning Commission process, China’s local government The upside of the Chinese system of (almost all of whom are ambitious local self-government and the Indian cycle theories much in the manner that himself – history’s “cunning passages” system has been, and continues to revenue collection is that local bodies Party workers anxious for preferment corporate sector by none less than the the bumble bee flies whatever the laws never cease!) that over the last fifteen be, far more intimately involved with in China have a much larger sphere of to higher echelons of authority) is Prime Minister himself at the start of of aerodynamics might say. years, during which anti-poverty and rural development, rural welfare, and responsibilities than in most Indian measured on the sole criterion of their his first term as Prime Minister have Both in India and China, the rural welfare/development spending catering to the basic minimum needs States for the provision of public goods tangible contribution to birth control, been a dismal failure. I should know: I Kuznetz thesis has consciously or by the Centre has risen fifteen times, of the people. The reasons for this are and services. Equally, village assemblies graphic posters of birth control devices was the Minister in charge of this flop unconsciously influenced the relentless India’s relative ranking on the UN manifold and I will attempt to briefly and even individual villagers in China being rather more in evidence in local exercise! pursuit of ever more sustained ever Human Development Index has risen outline these. have far more meaningful access to government establishments than local Where however the different paths higher growth rates, the equity from 132 to – well – 132! Outcomes First, autonomy of finances. While their locally elected representative development priorities (as I saw a of local government in China and implications being sidelined in the are clearly totally noncommensurate China has a system of grants from and the range of issues that can be couple of years ago on a visit to villages India converge is in their significance much-vaunted belief that growth is taken up with these representatives is around picturesque Dali in Kunmin far wider. In India, more often than Province). not, the locally elected representative, This means that in practice local the panch or the sarpanch, is no more bodies in China function primarily than a conduit for channelling public as implementing agencies of higher- grievances and public demands to the level policies and programmes rather all-pervasive local bureaucracy or their than as autonomous, community- respective MLAs or MPs, occasionally controlled and community-responsive even the State Minister concerned. institutions of local self-government. Thus, Panchayat Raj has manifested Local government in China is thus itself as primarily a grievance redressal reduced for much of their working mechanism in India while it is a time to the role played by local bodies functioning tier of government in in India, that is, as implementing China, particularly in the more and propaganda agencies than as prosperous counties and provinces. institutions of local self-government, The downside is that local authorities as mandated in Article 243G of the in China, through an unholy nexus Indian Constitution. between the elected body, the local It also means that local bodies, Party officials and the local bureaucracy, especially in the more prosperous indulge in outrage levels of exactions, coastal regions of China, are vehicles overt and covert, legal and illegal, to for profiteering in the interest of the meet and exceed the targets of revenue local elites, generally Party or PLA- with outlays. And yet there is little the Centre or the Provinces to the collection set by higher authorities based, that have captured and dominate for future political and social stability good for everyone even if some are commitment to a radical systemic local bodies, with the proportion of at the Central or Provincial level, the the local bodies. On the other hand, in both countries, as also for continued fast-tracked while the majority limp overhauling of the delivery system to such grants to locally raised revenues excesses committed on peasant farmers the unleashing of the animal spirits economic progress. Simon Kuznetz forward. The grassroots are, however, make local bodies responsible for the rising in inverse proportion to the being one of the more notorious of market socialism has primarily had famously argued in his Presidential beginning to rumble. The rumbling is delivery to their communities of the degree of development and per capita stories surfacing in the otherwise taken place through the highly Address to the American Economics louder in India but discontent is all too community’s entitlements of public incomes in the Province, county or quite commendable story of local entrepreneurial Township and Village Association on 29 December 1954 visible in China too. In fact, subaltern goods and services. Only Empowerment even village concerned, from the early government in China. To an Indian, Enterprises established by the local that while widening inequalities of India – the India of the jungles and will lead to Entitlements, and only beginnings of the local governance there is something weirdly reminiscent bodies that has decisively contributed income and wealth were an inevitable the tribals – is even questioning Empowerment and Entitlements will reforms process in China, and harking in this of the consequences of Lord to the astonishing and rapid rise of concomitant of the growth process, the hitherto unchallenged axiom together lead to Enrichment – the back to the earlier communist practice Cornwallis’ 18th century Permanent China as the manufacturing hub of the this did not amount to the sacrifice that Development is Desirable by three Es to be achieved through the over the decades since the Revolution, Settlement that led to the horrors of global economy. of equity because growth is a tide that postulating the alternative view – the three Fs. Short of that happening, India one of the principal responsibilities of zamindari, especially in Bengal, Bihar, Recent studies, on the one hand raises all boats, that everyone benefited grassroots view – that Development will prosper but Indians will not. And local bodies has been revenue raising, the United Provinces (now Uttar and the difficulty in replicating the from higher growth rates even if the is Disruptive and disproportionately accelerated growth, with its inevitable partly to defray their own expenses Pradesh) and both halves of Punjab, TVE model in areas distant from higher the growth rate the wider the benefits the distant to the detriment concomitant of accelerating disparities, but substantially to meet the revenue the Indian and the Pakistani, as also Special Economic Zones, indicate that disparity. This comforting doctrine of those who have traditionally could destabilise our entire democratic expectations of higher local authorities Sind, now in Pakistan. it is perhaps more proximity to SEZs came at the end of two centuries of lived on the land that is sought to be framework – India’s single greatest from the Townships to the Counties Yet, in the strictly hierarchical, than any unique feature of Chinese the Industrial Revolution in Britain, expropriated and exploited in the name achievement since Independence – as and even to the Provinces and the disciplined and authoritarian political local government autonomy that has a century after the US economy had of economic growth. it has already begun doing in a third of Centre. Only in Goa in India are the regime that prevails in China, there linked local government in China with emerged as the largest in the world To whom do the minerals and forest our insurgency-ridden districts. local bodies required to garner taxes is little alternative to compliance. their staggeringly successful Industrial and, post the Great Depression and wealth belong? To the State, as argued

in colonial law and carried forward into stagnation among the submerged continuation of our democracy. So also, independent India? Or, as the Indian seven-eighths? Karl Marx warned in China. A Chinese labour relations Maoist insists, to the people of the that those who forget their history friend of mine, at a UN conference forest? In less violent form and in less will be compelled to relive it. History in Bangkok a few years ago described strident terms, the underclass in other tells us that the big challenge to the consequences of liberalisation and parts of India has begun increasingly industrialization generally comes in globalisation in his country as, “First, asking, “What’s in it for us”? What, the sixth to eighth decades after the they make you landless; then they make indeed, is in it for 77% of Indians start of the Industrial Revolution: from you jobless; that leaves you homeless; who, according to the unchallenged the mild manifestation of the Luddite and finally renders you hopeless.” In Arjun Sengupta Committee Report, Movement in England in the early their hundreds of millions transiently presented to Parliament in 2007, based nineteenth century to the barricades unemployed Chinese trudge from on 2004-05 figures, live on under Rs20 of Paris in 1832 so vividly described railway station to railway station, a day – two US dollars at Purchasing in Les Miserables by Victor Hugo to bus stand to bus stand, while many Power the “Spectre that is haunting Europe… hundreds of millions more languish in Parity? Are these 836 million Workers of the World Unite. You have the countryside. Indians as enthused by India’s prospects nothing to lose but your chains. You The Chinese leadership has had the wisdom to proclaim “harmony” as the goal of all nation-building; we call it “Inclusive Growth.” But neither in China will harmony prevail, nor in India inclusive growth occur unless we have in both countries a much higher measure of people’s involvement in the building of their own lives. We have each had our achievements in this respect. Each of us too has put in place the basic structures needed for participative development. What we also both have is relatively empty cups waiting to be filled with the nectar of empowerment. If such empowerment comes their way, those deprived of the immediate benefits of growth might be prepared to wait a generation or two longer. But if even Empowerment to secure Entitlements is not to be their lot, there is a stirring beneath the surface which we must all list to. Else, our dreams may turn into delusions. of economic superpowerdom within have a world to gain!” We do not have the luxury of waiting the life time of today’s youth as are In Germany, it is the sixth decade for centuries, as happened in the West, the 259 million who, according to after Bismarck created the Zollverien for the poorest to get a modicum of the same report, constitute India’s and sparked the Industrial Revolution material comfort; our people are more “middle and higher income” class? For in Central Europe that Adolf Hitler impatient, more demanding. And we the moment, India’s discontented are was hailed – or is it “heiled”? – by his have the means at hand – genuine local turning to the ballot rather than the people; it was at about the same time self government – to meet these rising bullet to vent their grievances: “anti- that Japan gave itself over to Admiral expectations substantially. Would that incumbency” has become a peculiarly Tojo, the political and military face of we have the wisdom to use it.  Indian word to describe the revolving the Zaibatsu; that Salazar, the professor door through which the electorate of economics rescued Portugal from pushes out incumbent governments, financial disaster only to grind it under and even more, incumbent legislators his heel for the next fifty years; that at every election – only to find, in Mussolini marched on Parliament the renowned Punjabi phrase, that from Milan; that Franco overthrew the “Natha Singh, Prem Singh/ One and Republicans. the same thing!” Let us be warned: Kuznets or no How long before democracy itself Kuznets, there is a political-economic Mani Shankar Aiyar is a former minister for panchayati raj. is questioned as the root cause for reality in the making that threatens the He is a Member of Parliament.

|18| India-China Chronicle . March-April 2011 INFOCUS | SURVEY | COVER STORY

he Indian and Chinese media it would influence as the root of the trust deficit between appear are at a state of constant war. the two countries. “China is perceived negatively TThus, when Indian Prime Minister Dr by people in India,” he said. “While there is Manmohan Singh visited a string of African contact and dialogue at the higher levels, there countries this May to improve relations and is very limited people-to-people cooperation,” hammer out a string of business agreements, the Hu explained. This, according to him, has led to Indian media hailed it as an offensive to counter a heightened sense of fear and insecurity among China, which was seen as trying to conquer and the people of India. He also said that while the dominate that part of the world. Similarly, when Chinese media rarely reports on India, Indian news of the Chinese building an oil terminal media regularly depicts China in a negative Indranil in Myanmar surfaced, it was interpreted as yet manner, and this has contributed to their fear Banerjie another Chinese attempt to encircle India. and insecurity.” is an independent China’s funding of the Pakistani deep sea port Even Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed political and at Gwadar has of course been a bugbear for his displeasure of the Indian media during security risk many years now. Every report of China taking his New Delhi visit in December last year. He analyst up a major project in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or appeared particularly perturbed by Indian the Maldives sets the alarm bells ringing in India press reports on the visit’s failure to arrive on media establishments. The Chinese, it would any breakthrough in the border disputes. Wen seem, are coming to get us. said that “not a single shot had been fired” nor In China too, the media is often hysterical had there been any “exchanges in border areas” when it comes to reporting on India. The many between the troops. contentious issues between the two countries include Tibet, Arunachal border dispute, the stapled Visa issue, Kashmir, nuclear assistance to Pakistan and more recently the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The Chinese media believes that the Indian government has secretly been helping secessionists (called split-ists in China) in Tibet and illegally holding on to Arunachal Pradesh. The Indians believe that China is hell bent on Hostile Media grabbing Indian territory through military means and has been helping Pakistan in order to keep Indian ambitions in check. There can be no denying the media hostility. One commentator, writing in the Left wing Indian weekly Mainstream, protested: “The language used to describe India-China bilateral relations by the media of the two countries is so very different that one sometimes wonders if FOURTH they are talking of the same thing. The Indian media has been suggesting that whatever activities China was conducting around were COLUMNISTS dangerous and detrimental to India.” The Chinese have often voiced their Sustained effort by the two discomfort with the Indian media. Wang Hui governments is the only long term writing in the China Daily warned that “the Indian side needs to show real sincerity in solution to improved media ties. forging a more friendly relationship with China. An “Asia century” will remain only a dream until the two Asian giants can treat each other with mutual trust and respect.” Prof Hu Shisheng, the Deputy Director of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, speaking at Columbia University in the United States, placed the blame of poor relations “mainly on Indian shoulders, pointing to Indian fears of China’s growing power and

An Indian news agency quoted him as having and that the negative contents of the blogs have two countries has been free of acrimony and International Relations, Contemporary Asia & said the boundary question has “repeatedly been been allowed to appear by the Government. each high level meeting has invariably produced Pacific Region, South-Asian Studies and South- sensationalized” by the media after which leaders Otherwise, they would have been erased. tangible results in the form of agreements and Asian Studies Quarterly, the key national journals of the two countries have had to “repair the Indian fears about China are, however, not joint mechanisms. These have helped facilitate of international relations devoted to the study damage and harm.” He exhorted the media to without foundation. There are real underlying trade, cultural and economic ties between the of India and the South Asian region.” This has play a more active role in enhancing friendship. issues that fuel distrust. Mohan Guruswamy, two countries at the practical level. Yet, these happened largely due to institutional initiatives. “A good neighbour is a blessing. We must be Chairman of New Delhi’s Centre for Policy achievements are rarely highlighted. While the negative aspects of the relationship good neighbours,” Wen stressed. Alternatives, has often spoken about this. In cannot be wished away, protracted focus one talk delivered at the Atlantic Council in Pro-active Diplomacy on the more positive aspects would eventually Rising Nationalism Washington, he pointed out that “relations The problem of poor media relations can pave the way for a more balanced and The cause of bad press in both countries between these two neighbours have always been only be solved by the governments of the two moderated media view. A major focus could is suspicion that essentially stems from rising tenuous, riddled with contentious border issues countries, more so because the cause of the be on economic and business relations. The nationalistic sentiments in both countries and territorial claims, and made even more problem lies in rising nationalism. Pro-active India-China two-way trade is roaring: from coupled with a huge perception gap. Both muddled by the lack of a clear historical record public diplomacy by Beijing and New Delhi $270m in 1990, it has grown to $60 billion this countries have a painful colonial past, which demarcating the borders. He indicated that the holds the key to the future. year and is expected to touch a targeted $200 colours their perceptions. The colonial baggage burgeoning border disputes, partly a result of the A cue can be taken from improved billion by 2015. Indians have not fully taken has not only bad memories but lingering British Raj’s lack of setting clear borders, were academic relations between scholars of the advantage of the business opportunities thrown geopolitical legacies. In both countries, the exacerbated by China’s occupation of Lassa in two countries. Writing in the Chinese journal, up by China. Indian exports to China still emerging middle class has rediscovered pride 1962 and then by India’s retaliatory occupation Contemporary International Relations, May/ tend to be composed largely of raw materials in their national achievements and some of this of the Tawang region. Attempts to resolve these June 2008 published by the China Institutes while imports are manufactured goods. This has translated into unbridled nationalism and lopsided relationship can change with greater suspicion of foreign intent. The elite in both interaction between the two countries and more While the negative countries believe the other is depriving them open information flows. The media’s role in this aspects of the of territory that rightfully belongs to them. cannot but be critical. This is the root of the problem. Its effects are One Indian researcher has written about while the Chinese relationship cannot manifold. the low level of cultural interaction between media rarely reports be wished away, Security analyst B. Raman has written the two countries. “There is a need to cultivate on India, Indian media protracted focus extensively on the mutual distrust between individual perceptions of the other, at the level regularly depicts on the more positive the media of the two countries. In one article, of citizens. This exercise could be executed at he elucidated on the causes of the mistrust, the level of greater tourist facilitation measures China in a negative aspects would attributing them to three factors: or exposure to popular culture through mass manner, and this has eventually pave “The lack of transparency about the Chinese media. More Indian television programmes, contributed to their the way for a media and the widespread perception in India dubbed in Chinese, should be promoted in fear and insecurity more balanced that the Chinese media is still largely owned China (currently only a few such programmes and moderated and/or controlled by the Chinese Government are broadcast in China). Surprisingly, Chinese and the Communist Party of China. As a result, programming (similar to NHK, DW-Asia media view anything critical of India appearing in the or Russia Today) is not even on offer on most Chinese media was viewed by large sections of satellite networks in India. Events such as the the Indian public as representing the views of border issues – from China’s package deal offer of Contemporary International Relations ‘Festival of India in China’ or the ‘Festival of the Chinese Government and party. in 1986 to their revised proposal in 1988 – have (CICIR), scholar Liu Qian, pointed out that China in India’ should be promoted on a wider “The lack of adequate knowledge in China proved unsuccessful, and now neither country is “Academic exchanges between Indian and scale to involve citizen participation beyond the about the free press that India has, barring some willing to further negotiate on their dispute.” Chinese IR scholars and among Chinese IR diplomatic corps.” radio stations and TV channels run by the The border dispute in particular has led to a scholars themselves have been institutionalized One problem is the low level of information Government, there is hardly any government military response from the Indian government, in recent years. In addition to various academic and news flows between the two countries. owned or controlled media in India. Large which has responded to Chinese improvements symposiums and conferences on India Only a couple of Indian newspapers have sections of the Chinese public opinion tend of military infrastructure in Tibet by raising two organized by some individual universities and correspondents in China and the same is true to think that the entire Indian media is owned more mountain divisions, upgrading forward research institutions, there has been the annual of the Chinese. The space devoted in the local and/or controlled by the Government and the airbases and deploying advanced Sukhoi multi- conference on South Asia Studies hosted by the media on developments in the other country political party in power as is the case in China. role aircraft in north east India. The Chinese Chinese Association for South Asian Studies, is miniscule as well. There are few events These sections tended to assume that whatever media continues to refer to India’s Arunachal the nation’s largest research organization for the and exchanges to promote media ties. The was carried by the Indian media had the approval Pradesh as Southern Tibet and claims it is part study of the region. To date, IR scholars from Chinese government, despite its bursting of the Government. Large sections of the Indian of China. The other, more favourable aspects of China and India have engaged in three round- coffers, has no outreach programme comparable public assumed that the negative coverage of the relationship are often forgotten or glossed table meetings on Sino-Indian relations. As to that of the United States, Britain or France India in the Chinese media was instigated by the over. While the border dispute continues to mentioned above, the results of all these research in India. The Indian government too does not Government and party, which may have been or linger, both countries have restrained their efforts are represented by more than 20 books consider it a priority to fund exchanges. All this may not have been a fact. militaries and on the international front the and 2,000 research papers on India published by must change, for, sustained effort by the two “Many in India believe that the Internet in two have occasionally coordinated their stand. Chinese IR scholars since 1994. A large number governments is the only long term solution to China is closely controlled by the Government The language of joint declarations between the of these papers can be found in Contemporary improved media ties. 

Having scanned some of the geopolitical paradigm of the world of dated April 10, 1938: “China and major dailies of both countries the ‘nation states’ no sooner than they India have stood for certain ideals in over the past year, one gets the opened their eyes for the first time. human life for ages past…I trust that impression that media coverage is Tagore’s vision of India and China it may be given to our two countries largely negative. Why so? Are the being united in the geo-civilizational to cooperate together in the cause media in India and China generally paradigm did influence India’s of world peace and freedom and Media must not hostile in their coverage? Or is it founder-prime minister Jawaharlal that neither of us, in good fortune just a perception? Nehru. or ill fortune, will lose our souls I think it somewhat inaccurate Yet, when Nehru, with the good in the pursuit of some temporary in describing the mutual media wishes of Mao Zedong and Zhou advantages.” coverage between India and China Enlai, tried to place India-China As civilization states, India and as ‘largely negative.’ First of all, the relations right in the geo-civilizational China should be guided by their lose its soul coverage is standard and normal, paradigm, he met strong resistance “souls” (the public good of mankind) featuring what has happened between from his detractors both at home which, I think, does not exclude Immediately after his birth in April 1929 in two fast developing economies and and abroad who considered the their ‘national interests.’ Today, Malaya, Tan Chung was carried by his mother rapidly changing and modernizing geopolitical paradigm of the world from the politicians to the masses in and aunt to Shantiniketan in Bengal to be societies. Second, one does not see of the ‘nation states’ sacrosanct and both the countries, there is no clear an intentional distortion of facts non-negotiable. Nehru could not understanding about the real ‘national shown to his father and scholar Prof. Tan Yun- as sometimes happens between do anything, and he died a sad and interests’ of the two civilization states shan. Rabindranath Tagore was glad to see the the media of hostile countries. Of disillusioned man. of India and China. The people, as baby and christened him Asoka — the Bengali course, we see in the media in the Let me quote what Nehru wrote well as the media of the two countries name Tan Chung could unfortunately never two countries a reflection of some to Prof Tan Yun-shan (my father) must stand aloof from the “pursuit of suspicion and misconception which use. Tan Chung returned to Malaya with his is quite normal as too much have mother. He was then raised in China from 1931 been happening in the two countries to 1954. He came to India to be united with his and too few experts are there to give a timely interpretation with correct parents and studied at Shantiniketan from 1955 perspectives. to 1958. He then started his career teaching Subjectively, the media today Chinese language in India from 1958. An are motivated by sensation-making rather than conscience-friendly authority on history, Prof. Tan Chung and morality-responsible. Those has been a doyen of Chinese cultural of us who are dedicated to the studies in India for more than half a promotion of India-China contacts and interconnections, friendship century. He is an authority on Chinese and understanding should not be history, Sino-Indian relations and distracted and disheartened by the cultural exchange. In 2010, he was cacophony of the media which is what awarded the Padma Bhushan, the the media are cut out for. third highest civilian honour by the It is true that India and China Indian government and the China- share a complex relation yet India Friendship Award by the should there not be an objective assessment of the realities? Does Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao the same so-called “national interests” year. Prof Tan Chung is at present an prevail over objective reporting? Academic Associate at the University I think we need a historical perspective to talk about this. Of course, we see in the media in the two of Chicago and Emeritus Member of India and China are the only two the Institute of Chinese Studies in ‘civilization states,’ i.e. continuously countries a reflection of some suspicion and New Delhi. Manju Hara caught up burning flames of civilization for many misconception which is quite normal as too with the professor to understand millennia “where it was first lighted,” as described by Rabindranath Tagore. much have been happening in the two countries his views on the prickly media This fact should not be forgotten. issue. However, as modern states, — the and too few experts are there to give a timely People’s Republic of China was born in 1949, and the Republic of India, in interpretation with correct perspectives. 1950 — they have been greeted by the

some temporary advantages” without The two countries have known both because of the decline of the I do not see China moving Since the fall of the Soviet losing their souls, as advised by Nehru. to cooperate at the government- US dominating influence over the quickly to control media in any part Union, the world has largely been to-government level as well as on world, and because of India and of the world outside her territory. unipolar. Do you think that a India and China are two international forums. Then why is China having their own international This conclusion is predicated on the strategic coming together of the geopolitical rivals and their there negative media coverage? Is forums, especially the BRICS and the assumption that China has such a two Asian giants could balance interests clash both in the political Pakistan a factor? Or the US! Shanghai Cooperation Organization power of control which she does not. or even shift the global power and economic arena. Both are The answer to the first part of the (also the India-China-Russia tripartite On the contrary, China has already equation? vying for the same markets. India question (which, I feel, is not properly dialogue at the track one i.e., the felt that she has not been sufficiently That the dismemberment of the calls the Central Asian region its framed) has already been provided foreign ministers’ level and track appreciated and understood in Soviet Union was not the ‘end of ‘extended neighborhood’ while to above. one-and-half i.e., at the scholars’ foreign countries as well as in the history’ was sufficiently proved by China it is the ‘strategic backyard.’ The US is a factor that can impact level to which I had been associated international media. the IT bubble and the ‘9/11’ tragedy. Do the compulsions of geo-politics India-China relations both positively when I was the co-chairperson of the Many years ago, an editor of the We are now in the post-Cold War have an impact on the media too? and negatively. However, that Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi) Global Times in Beijing asked me and post-9/11 era to see clearly that Neighbouring countries are rivals possibility is increasingly diminishing to help slowly construct a cooperative why in spite of all her efforts, China the world is a big mess, not unipolar of competition and even potential strategic partnership. was less appreciated and liked in the at all. I think the decline of the enemies according to the geopolitical Pakistan is a huge factor that international circles than India was? domination of the great powers paradigm of the world of the ‘nation Pakistan is a huge impacts India-China relations which My answer was that international of the Western Hemisphere can states.’ This is the cancer of the is a topic good enough for a dozen appreciation and love would not help us revolutionize our thinking— modern world dominated by the factor that impacts PhD dissertations. Briefly put, China, emanate from the position of power. including our concept of the Western civilizational influence. We India-China relations for the last 60 years, has had no single The pursuit of power could make ‘Asian giants.’ should be reminded of the fact that in occasion to feel displeased with others respect with fear but not Tagore said in 1916 in Japan about ancient times all great civilizations in which is a topic good Pakistan, but has been constantly respect with affection. the civilization of India and China: the Western Hemisphere treated each called upon to reciprocate the extra- In many respects, India looked “Though it may look feeble and enough for a dozen warm initiatives from Islamabad weaker than China, but won greater other as rivals and bent on destroying Tagore was optimistic small, judged by the standard of the one another. PhD dissertations. (particularly its role in helping the appreciation, sympathy and love. mechanical power of modern days, In the Eastern Hemisphere, the secret visit of Henry Kissinger to I have not seen any sign of China about the future of yet like small seeds it still contains life two neighbouring civilizations of Briefly put, China, for Beijing to break the ice between trying to influence the Indian media. and will sprout and grow, and spread India and China have maintained China and the US). I think the Chinese have not been India and China when its beneficent branches, producing thousands of years of cordiality and the last 60 years, has Today, when China realizes the able to figure out what the Indian flowers and fruits when its time comes fraternity in the spiritual arena of the importance of Sino-Indian friendship, media are, especially why they have the two entities were and showers of grace descend upon it had no single occasion so many contradictory voices, why geo-civilizational paradigm. India she is morally bound not to ditch in their weakest state. from heaven.” Tagore was optimistic and China need not fall into the trap to feel displeased with Pakistan, and not even make Pakistan they criticize the Indian government about the future of India and China of the geopolitical paradigm, and feel that the friendship of India is so much, and why they go to such an Tagore’s optimism when the two entities were in their need not be rivals, and their interests Pakistan, but has been greater than that of Pakistan. This extent to wash dirty linen in public weakest state. need not clash in the political and Chinese position which is a kind of (even the US media exercise certain was not unrelated to Tagore’s optimism was not economic arena. constantly called dilemma has not been understood in self-censorship). unrelated to the fact that for two Even modern thinkers of the India. On the contrary, it is somewhat the fact that for two millennia before the 18th century upon to reciprocate the The two countries share a Western civilization see the countries construed as an ‘anti-India’ gesture, millennia before the India and China had been the most of today in an interdependent extra-warm initiatives or a strategy to contain India. I civilization bond yet that has not developed world on earth. equation. International relations are understand that at the official level, transpired into positive response. 18th century India In my opinion, the strength of refreshingly viewed as different modes from Islamabad both India and China don’t feel easy Why are we too suspicious of a country’s civilization fortifies its of interconnection and intercourse. to discuss this issue. each other? and China had been material development, not vice versa. If any Indian calls Central Asia an While there is yet any Chinese I think I have already spelled It was the moral corruption that led ‘extended neighbourhood,’ he/she scholar who is competent to analyse this out. Look at what we are doing the most developed to the downfall of the great powers must be living in the 19th century the issue convincingly, few Indian presently! A Chinese and an Indian in modern times. India and China Europe when ‘Might was Right’ and a scholars and strategists are in a cannot conduct a dialogue in the world on earth. should not aspire to become ‘giants’ patriot’s duty was to carry the ‘White position to appreciate the Chinese language of China or India. When or ‘superpowers’. They should come Man’s Burden.’ dilemma while discussing it. In you publish this Q&A for the Indian out of the vicious circle of rise and fall But, the days of the ‘Sun-never- other words, objectively, it is the readership, you probably do it only in geopolitical discourses in India of great powers, but lead the world sets’ Empire are gone, the days India-Pakistan enmity that holds English which is a foreign language and China. I think it not just a to the Indian ideal of vasudhaiva of ‘Superpowers’ are gone. My the improvement of India-China to both India and China. Make question of language, but a mindset, kutumbakam (the world as one family) observations for more than half a cordiality and trust as hostage. no mistake that we do not live in a mental orientation. If we don’t and the Chinese ideal of shijie datong century have not shown any proof globalization, but in Anglobalization. get rid of this servitude, we cannot (the world in grand harmony). that the intellectual mindset in India China is moving quickly to It is this Anglobalization (and this have the paradigm shift — from Yes, by coming together, India and China fits in the proposition influence media in many parts of servitude to Anglobalization) that the geopolitical paradigm to geo- and China not only can benefit a suggested in your question. I don’t the world – because information has made the Indian and Chinese civilizational paradigm. We shall be lot themselves, but can create a more think the media of both countries are is power – how is that it has so far civilizations irrelevant to modern condemned to mutual suspicious harmonious, equitable and happy in similar preoccupation. failed to influence the Indian media. sociopolitical, socio-economic, between India and China forever. mankind. 

whether in the bureaucratic system or on the road. But VOICES No full stops I cannot conceal the fact that I really appreciate the private service system, for example the service at hotels and restaurants. The media seems to be at war where India and China are concerned. Facts do not seem to matter Some other things leave me quite incredulous such as as some Indian media organisations believe that is the best way to grab a larger market share. when you can bargain the penalty with the traffic police Similar responses are emerging from the Chinese side as well. The threat to a stable India-China when I am stopped by them. I cannot imagine such things in my country. I really appreciate the flexibility of the Indian relationship seems coming not from the governments, but from sections within the media. We traffic police. spoke to a cross-section of media representatives to get their versions. My friends from China keep asking me whether India can be defined as a conservative society. This is one of the most difficult questions for me to answer. As the local media across the border have company! frequently criticize the dowry system, the honour killings, Better ties Compulsions of geo-politics: India is a status-quoist the liquor culture and etc, even from the way most power; it does not have territorial ambitions or spheres of people dress, sometime I feel that India is conservative. But better coverage influence. Our markets may be similar in labour intensive then I also notice that bold perfume advertisements and manufactures, but there the media blame Indian policy and Bollywood videos are shown on the TV channels, sexy pictures the difficulty of doing business in India, rather than the Wang Lei are published in newspapers and magazines, something Chinese for being competitive and getting a bigger share of Correspondent based in New Delhi rarely seen in the so-called comparatively open-minded society the world market. In fact sections of the Indian media have in China. been saying that the government must address security issues, of the People’s Daily, China Indian youth are much more confident today. “The future if any, without depriving Indian power producers or telecom of a nation always rests on the shoulders of its youth.” In my service providers of cheaper Chinese equipment. The media eeing is believing. That’s so true for a country like India. perspective, this is being proved by India’s youth. Showing prodding the government to be aggressive like China in SIndia is indeed famous for its diversity and the Indian greater interest in the growth and development of the country securing oil supplies or winning Central Asian and African people known for their hospitality. I have been living and by getting involved in Indian politics, the government sector, friends should not be seen as a clash. Every country has a right working in India for around three years. I am so glad to have business, software and initiating various innovative projects to pursue its self-interest. experienced this country first hand rather than from books! for the country’s welfare, the difference and change is quite Why negative coverage: Since 2003 when Prime Minister Before I set foot here, most books I read introduced the visible. Atal Behari Vajpayee visited China, the two countries are Caste system. If I did not know India, I would tend to And there is bound to be progress in a country where the building on the areas that bind, while not harping on the believe that the caste system is the most important part youth take the initiative. There is no doubt that Indian youth Raghav Bahl issues they differ on. International cooperation happens in of this society. is setting examples and they are proving themselves in every Founder and Editor, Network 18 areas of agreement. But the differences are critical. The media Actually, it is only a deep-rooted concept in peoples’ field, at home and abroad. cannot ignore them. For instance, can it gloss over the little or mind, and not many people are willing to talk about Doing interviews are not so difficult in India, because no progess in resolving the border dispute despite many high- it openly. Anyway, the Indian constitution claims that this is a country in which people like to talk and express n media perception: There are negative vibes in the level meetings? India is a secular country and that the caste system should themselves. At seminars and press conferences, the persons OIndia-China relationship and the media reflect these. It China’s influence: China’s media influence reflects it’s be abolished. One China scholar made a perceptive remark who ask questions is more likely to talk much more than those is possible to question the tone, the pitch or even the twist but economic, and consequently, strategic heft. But is the Western about India when he said that any conclusion you draw who answer. Actually, they just want to express themselves no one disagrees that it is a cobbled, not smooth, relationship. media less critical about China on, say, human rights or the about India may be right, but then the very opposite could instead of asking and waiting for an answer. Stapled visas, the construction of roads and railways along the exchange-rate? Agreed, there is wider and deeper coverage of also hold true. The Indian media plays a very important role. But in border, the military build-up, the supply of nuclear reactors China in the Western media. The India media, and certainly The diversity of India is reflected in many aspects. India international politics, sometimes, I do not believe it plays a to Pakistan, the India-US civil nuclear deal, the opposition the TV channels need to have more journalists in China, has 22 official languages, and 400 smaller tongues and positive role, for example, it unnecessarily hyped tension with to India getting a waiver at the Nuclear Suppliers’ Club, the and cover a wide range of issues. Often it is cost that decides dialects. Indian society is made up of nearly 5000 castes and Pakistan after Osama Bin Laden’s killing. cozy relationship with Pakistan, the Dalai Lama’s activities, all issues like placement of journalists and not a lack of interest in communities, each with its own rules, customs and stories. I believe that the win-win situation of Sino-India these may be negative but they reflect reality. There is however developments in China. In fact there is a huge interest in India India gave birth to four world religions and its 33 million relationship can be achieved. Although I hold a positive a lot of positive coverage in the Indian media about China’s about China. The Chinese embassy in Delhi should engage gods. I believe that no other such diversified state can be stand on this trend, the fact is that many sensitive factors still economic achievements. India has made China the standard, journalists continually. It must promote study of the Chinese found at any other place around the world. Its diversity is just exert negative influence on that. Some Indian experts say that for instance, when it aspires for Mumbai to be like Shanghai, or language. Why does it not set up a Confucius Institute in New like the masalas (spices) produced here in all its colours and apart from economic cooperation and trade volume increase, strives to attain Chinese rates of growth. I would be surprised Delhi to begin with? A larger constituency in either country different smells. no other important achievements have been achieved for if relations improved and media coverage did not. can act as a pressure group for better relations. I have to confess that for a foreign journalist working in these years. On so-called “national interests”: Though the Indian Civilisational links: Yes, Buddhism is a link. Both people India can be a baffling experience nevertheless. Going from I do not agree with that. In my perspective, the economic media are privately owned, and do not take cues from the also share certain common values. But national interests can one state to another is like passing from one country to cooperation is pushing the exchange of people and mutual government, on strategic issues there is broad national differ despite affinities between people. another. I do not know the official language Hindi, so English understanding. We can see that more and more people are consensus The secretive nature of the Chinese state creates India, China, US: It is a multi-polar world with one is the only tool for communication. But people from different travelling to each other’s country. apprehensions. There is much ignorance in India about what hyperpower. But even the US knows how far it can stretch. ‘Pradeshes’ (states) speak English with their own accent and As emerging markets, India and China do have many caused the 1962 war and the balance of blame. In China, I For India, it would be unwise to thwart China’s rise. It is sometimes it becomes very difficult to understand. Language common interests; they attract many investments and create believe, the war itself is not well-known, so there is inadequate also unrealistic to expect that India can be weaned away is only one aspect but the real challenges are the local food many wonders. As for the two countries comprehensive appreciation of Indian sensitivities. from the United States; they have much at stake mutually. and living habits. national strength is on the increase, but the US will continue The Indian government itself laments that it only gets flak India should try balance its relationship with both countries As a Chinese journalist who lives in India, I have to dominate international politics. That aspect should change from the media and little positive coverage! So the complainers and profit from it.  to face the same problem like other foreigners; the slowness, as early as possible. 

porting on issues dealing with China is we have little – or no – Kashmir, has led it to be conflated with the negative Indian No access to Chinese officials access to the views of Chinese officials and how they see issues Faulty perceptions to blame image of Pakistan. Two, China is either hostile or indifferent or problems. Chinese officials tend to not engage with foreign to certain Indian international aspirations including nuclear media beyond official statements, making it difficult to convey technology parity and UN Security Council membership. their viewpoints with the clarity with which we understand Finally, it is perceived as an efficient but brutal state in its and report on the Indian government’s views on an issue. Pramitpal treatment of dissidents, the Dalai Lama and so on. Ananth Krishnan The “negative coverage” reflects problems and differences I don’t think China took India seriously until perhaps a The Hindu’s Correspondent in the relationship which do exist. It doesn’t make sense to Chaudhuri year or two ago. Anti-Indian sentiment in China revolves based in Beijing suggest that because there is some cooperation, the other is- Foreign Editor, Hindustan Times around a belief that India is becoming part of an anti-China sues are not reported on. Cooperation between the two gov- geopolitical alliance that includes the US and Japan. Thus it is wouldn’t say the media are hostile in their coverage. It is my ernments also receives coverage. A case in point: cooperation overage has been more negative the past two to three years seen as a subset of China’s US policy. But as China develops Iperception that the coverage in both countries generally between India and China on climate change received much Cbecause the primary issues between the two countries in a larger stake in the Indian economy it seems to be more tends to reflect the tone of the relationship between the gov- attention in the media in both countries. So does cooperation these periods have been confrontational or dispute-based. If concerned about its image. Companies like Huawei have ernments. Media coverage might magnify – and on occasion under multilateral platforms like BRICS etc. Another exam- national interests mean government-based concerns, then begun investing in public relations with some success. Not so exaggerate – differences or problems. But I would still suggest ple: the trade relationship is also widely reported on. Looking there is only a minimal influence on the Indian media’s the Chinese state. that the coverage tends to be more a reflection of the nature at trade and business coverage, I’d say it’s unfair to sweepingly coverage. If anything, the Indian government has often sought Indian and Chinese political leadership have been of the relationship rather than any hostility created by the me- label media coverage as “negative.” to dampen controversies. This is less clear in China where the suspicious of each other since the 1950s for various ideological dia. It’s fair to say that national interests do indeed influence I don’t really see the Indian case as being any different media is tightly controlled by the government. and security reasons. The public in India and China are barely coverage in both countries. This is clearly more so the case in from what’s happening elsewhere. Perhaps the United States is Media, or oped pages, like to have stories that revolve conscious of each other. There is little civil society engagement China, where the media is largely State-controlled and not an exception in terms of how is China reaching out – I think around rivalries and conflicts. The Western press, in fact, has between the two countries. Understandably the discourse is free when it comes to reporting on diplomacy. Yes, the Chi- China is far more interested in engaging with the US media been at the forefront of claiming there is an India-China race largely driven by state perceptions. The civilisational bond, nese media is opening up when it comes to local issues, but it considering the importance of its relationship with the US and for resources and influence around the world. That has now I should add, is less than is often described – it does not go is my perception that coverage is strictly dictated to when it is hence devoting more attention and resources there. I don’t been picked up by the media of both India and China. The much beyond Buddhism. comes to reporting on China’s relations with other countries. think there’s any comparable move to engage with the Indian reality is that there is far less of a race than people imagine, The coming together of the two Asian giants could shift Unlike in India, you will rarely find contrarian views in news- media only because China – and the Chinese media - view but it continues to serve as a backdrop for some reporting and global power equation.When the two have cooperated, as papers, say, criticising foreign policy towards India. its relations with India as being far less important, and hence oped pieces. happened in Copenhagen’s climate summit, the Western In India’s case too, Indian interests are more represented relations with India tend to receive far less attention. The two China, I would argue, has the following negative image powers were stymied. However, given the lack of trust in covering issues. I see two reasons. Firstly, I’d say this is true countries have only been actively engaging since the late 1980s, perceptions. One is that its unflinching support for Pakistan, between the two Asian giants their strategic coming together – and somewhat natural - of media in any country, whether and substantial contact regarding education, commerce or the which seems to be impinging on core Indian interests like is highly unlikely.  India, China or the United States – you tend to be informed media has only been evident in the last decade. It will take con- more by the views of the government of your own country, tinued engagement on many platforms – and time – for any and you tend to engage with officials of your country’s govern- unwarranted suspicious to subside, which ultimately also control of information has led Chinese citizens to assume ment more. A second – and particular – problem in our re- depends on the state of relations between both governments.  India not a big story for China that problems in the bilateral relationship are only because of Indian hostility/suspicions and the ‘negative’ Indian media. India and China do indeed share a complex relationship. If you scrutinise Hindutan Times reports over the last Pakistan is a factor Having said that, these so-called “national interests” do not three years, you will notice that we ensure there are Chinese triumph over general reporting. Indian media is often much voices in all our foreign policy stories related to India-China more critical of the Indian establishment than the Chinese. Reshma Patil relations. It’s important to note that the Chinese government Yes, to some extent geo-politics do impact media cover- Beijing Correspondent ministries and several strategic think-tanks make it extremely age. When the media covers any issue related to China, it’s for Hindustan Times challenging to report their view. Government ministries mainly related to foreign policy, so yes, geo-political interests remain closed to the foreign media. China needs to open Indrani Bagchi do get mentioned in some length. Pakistan is certainly a fac- ostile coverage is a perception maintained on the up and enable a dialogue with its policymakers and military Diplomatic Editor, Times of India tor. But it’s also true that the Chinese government makes little HChinese side which tends to sweep all Indian media strategists in the foreign media...not just at rare official events, effort to push the “good” stories in the Indian media. The US reports on China into the ‘negative’ category. New Delhi but by starting to acknowledge and respond to repeated think on the Indian side, media coverage of China in the has little influence on Indian media reporting on China, but officials actually speak up in defense of India’s independent interview requests. past couple of years has unfortunately been somewhat because Indian media get a far greater exposure to US media, press when the Chinese raise this complaint. In the case of Chinese state-run media the editorials are negative. That has more to do with the stories of incursions that has some effect on Indian reporting. That’s primarily be- Indian media reports a variety of views and news breaks an indicator of the government’s line of thinking on foreign byI the Chinese into Indian Territory in 2008-09, a percep- cause Indian media has a long independent tradition. Also it’s on the India-China story including both the highs and lows policy. There are existing unresolved disputes on both sides. tion that China does not want India to advance in the world. in the private sector, which might make it more difficult for in bilateral relations. In fact, positive outcomes after bilateral There is also an absence of information sources on India in China’s relationship with Pakistan is seen as a big negative in the Chinese system to influence. On the other hand, it doesn’t meetings get better play and analysis in the media in India the Chinese language. China has the world’s largest online India, because by and large the media interpret this as being seem like the Chinese too are particularly interested in woo- than the cursory coverage in China. population that mostly surfs Chinese language websites directed against India. On the other hand, there is a great deal ing Indian media. I guess suspician about each other has to do The Indian media also follows up the China market, and they do not read Indian websites unless translations of appreciation at the progress that China has achieved in such with our collective history, the 1962 war when India lost, and economy and culture – similar trends from emerging India are produced in the Chinese media. Language and cultural a short time, a call to the Indian government to show greater China’s Pakistan connection. China is also felt to be encircl- are rarely reported in China. differences are the main barriers to tourism and even doing efficiency as we see in the Chinese system. Fundamentally, In- ing India that makes people nervous. Given the situation and India is still not a big media story for China. The state- business in either economy. dian media coverage of China is a result of ignorance of the context, India and China are more likely to end up at opposite run Chinese media has kept major issues raised by New Delhi, But the prospect of coming together has greater business Chinese system, and the way it works. Therefore most Indian ends. But there will be greater cooperation between India and like stapled visas for Kashmir residents, out of coverage. Most and economic potential. However, long-term political media see China through the prism of the western media. China on many many issues.  Chinese citizens have not even heard of these issues. This relations between India and China are hard to predict. 

Need to negate propaganda ther India nor China is forcing them into a relationship. government. But what can bring us together are our rapidly Pakistan and US are both important factors but not so Lack of trust growing economies. The world talks about India and China in important as to keep India and China apart forever. The media the same breath, and there is enough scope for both to grow exaggerates these issues for it sells well. Chinese think tanks around the world at their own pace. Indian media’s reporting Sreemati working on India do understand that India is too independent of China’s growing economy in a sense is a catalyst for India to a nation to be dictated by the US despite the civilian follow and try and grow even faster. Chakrabarti nuclear deal and Indians who profoundly study and under- Absolutely! Both of Pakistan and the US are big factors. Honorary Director, Institute of stand China know China’s compulsions in making positive Shams Raza Naqvi Two of the biggest growing economies cannot ignore each Chinese Studies, New Delhi noises in favour of its “all weather friend” – Pakistan. other and need to stay in touch. But as we’ve seen several I do not agree with the view that China controls a lot of Business Correspondent, News X times across the world politics takes over everything else. egative reporting gets more readership/viewership as it the media outside its borders. The western media is constantly Many believe an unstable neighbour is not good for a country. Nconforms to people’s perceptions which have emerged pointing to China as a threat, and India as a counterweight to think more than negative, adequate coverage is not just Both India and China know that they’re too strong to be de- due to many years of hostile propaganda against each other China. Such perceptions need to be contested. Ithere. As a business correspondent for my TV channel, many stabilized. But media loves negative reporting. And that is in both the countries. National interest is a very loosely-de- Nearly half a century of intense propaganda against each a times there is a story that I would want to do objectively. But true for places beyond China. fined and unclear and confusing term but nationalism in both other has led to suspicion and threat. In case of China, anti- on paper it’s far away from that and eventually the story is not I’m not too sure about China influencing media anywhere, countries manifests itself more in the form of jingoism than India sentiments among the common people developed since done. Mostly what we cover on both sides are political stories leave alone India. It’s very difficult to influence media anyways. patriotism. The media is not really bothered about ‘national colonial times when the British used Indians as security guards and don’t really go beyond that. Trade and sports for example And to do that China has to open up, let people inside and interest.’ Increasing antagonism with a neighbour is in no way in the areas under colonial control (called Concessions) to are not given enough importance. I also feel that it’s unfair know more about the country. Indian journalists still can’t conducive to national interest. Objective reporting often does harass and torture the local people. (See Madhavi Thampi, to compare both sides as China is very secretive about figures go to Lhasa and even going to China is not an easy task. In not bring in much revenue as media houses are in a stiff com- Indians in China: 1840-1949). No one is to benefit from an unlike India which is fairly transparent. comparison many correspondents of China based media live petition with each other to sell sensational news. Asia-US/West Cold War. The world has never been as inter- I think national interests do influence media coverage. and work from New Delhi. And that’s the difference. “Geo-political rivals” is a favourite term of the media and dependent as it is today. Desire for economic growth and pros- I think each set of neighbours share complex relation. China has time and again claimed ownership of Indian land. elements who would want the mutual threat perceptions to perity should lead to cooperation rather than confrontation More so in South Asia where conflicts have been going on Be it Ladakh, Arunachal or Sikkim. The areas are controlled grow as it benefits the world’s armaments industry. Here I will within Asia and between Asian nations and others. The world for decades with countries claiming each other’s territories. by India where Indians live. So what is the point of raking up repeat what PM Manmohan Singh has said:”There is enough is not completely uni-polar. China has emerged as America’s Tibet also has been a big factor and that is where China we an issue every few months? It calls residents of Kashmir and space in the world for India and China to grow.” The two terms banker and India is at least a partial employer. Of course, the all know is not too happy with India, especially with Dalai Arunachal as their own and issues them stapled visas. It’s got (regarding Central Asia used by India and China) in my opin- US may not appear to be as powerful as it was when the Soviet Lama being a state guest. Plus there is the Pakistan as well half of Ladakh under its control. Chinese boats roam freely in ion are not necessarily conflictual. Let’s not forget that we are Union declined but its military power, as well as soft power, as Nepal (Maoist) influence on China and that makes India Indian lakes in Ladakh. India doesn’t do anything of that sort. talking about states that are independent and sovereign. Nei- continue to enjoy the number one spot.  uncomfortable. Therefore the amount of confidence between And therefore, the suspicion. What happened thousands of the two countries is not there and hence the un-objective years ago, cannot form borders now. tors and media persons – barring sinologists who have spent reporting, so to say. India and China have to come together to take on the Need for more people- a lifetime studying the relationship. The Indian view of China There’s only to a certain extent the media can go against world. And then they would be unbeatable. The power to-people contact is also guided by the pro-Capital media’s bias towards commu- the state. And if the state has unhealthy relations against equation will definitely see a shift. The two Asian giants can nist parties, notably the CPI-M that have been their whipping a country only a minority of the media will contribute in take on the might of the west and the east and make South and boys since the advent of economic reforms. The Indian media is improving those relations. In communist China that almost Central Asia the powerful regions in the world. Remember driven also by TRPs that get better with Pak and China bashing seems an impossible task. The media has to tow the line of the money is power!!  on nationalist lines. This trend is complimented by the Chinese response – in their official newspapers and the cyber world. The India leadership has often insisted that there is enough space for Occasionally, Mr N. Ram writing for the Hindu, on subjects Vinod Sharma China and India to compete and coexist. And if the balance of Geo-politics like the internal developments in Tibet is, one is tempted Political Editor, Hindustan Times power has to shift to Asia in economic and strategic terms, these to say, even excessively “positive!” On the question of two must desist from unbridled rivalry. But such emotions do impact coverage “national interests” skewing objective reporting, I would say here is most certainly an element of distrust if not outright not translate into creating a popular psyche that’s realistic. The it seems so. Thostility in the Indian media towards China with excep- Indian middle class is distrustful of China and the Chinese But I must hasten to add that this is not true of just India tions such as The Hindu. The reasons are both historical and people arrogant and equally distrustful of India. These percep- and China. After all geo-politics inevitably has an impact on contemporary. The two countries have been at war in the past tions are reinforced on a daily basis by a reactionary media and any country’s perceptions of its national interests. and China has always backed Pakistan in its one-upmanship the ideologically biased Indian right wing bedazzled by the US On the Pakistan and US factors, I would point out that game vis-à-vis India. It has exchanged nuclear know-how with and the West. Sino-Pak relations certainly influence the Indian media and to Pakistan and is also setting up nuclear power plants in that coun- Both Pakistan and the US are factors that influence the Vinod Khanna some extent the Chinese are unhappy with what they perceive try. The Chinese position on Kashmir too is pro-Pakistan bar- relationship. The Indian media admires China’s success on Former Ambassador of India as the anti China potential of Indo-US relationship. ring occasions when Beijing advised Islamabad to try and make the economic front. Trust is lacking because of adversarial The 1962 War and the unresolved territorial dispute, Tibet progress on less contentious issues with New Delhi and leave perceptions. We are so near and yet so far, emotionally, and other geopolitical issues have contributed to both being Kashmir for the long haul. The Indian media and their Chinese diplomatically, socially and in strategic terms. The Chinese t is true that the media coverage in both the countries suspicious of each other. Global power equations are changing counterpart also keep propagating stereotypes. This is largely perceive us as allies of the US and we view China as a country Igenerally tend to be negative about the other. I would somewhat but I don’t see a strategic alliance between China on account of the language barrier and bare minimum people- determined to check our matching rise by propping up Pakistan. however like to say that this happens largely on issues where and India against the US, that is unlikely. Of course on some to-people contact between the two sides. Objective assessment India and China have to work in unison towards the creation of interests of the two countries are perceived by the media to specific issues Indian and Chinese interests will converge of the complex relationship is a casualty largely because of lack a multi-polar world. That would require a paradigm shift in the clash. On issues where cooperation is involved, — for instance and they may combine — along with other similarly placed of adequate study and knowledge on the part of commenta- way we see each other.  in multinational forums — there is fairly objective reporting. countries — to oppose the US. 

Media on both sides the Indian media ape the West and frequently indulges in China-bashing. China Response: By Occupation Individual opinion is the key for any policy initiative. The results so far reveal that media is perhaps the Others only category of respondents who had 17% emphatically responded in either a ‘Yes’ Media Doomsday or a ‘No’, unlike other categories where 32% the percentage of ‘Undecided’ was Academics considerably high. For instance, almost 29% one out of every four respondent was 9% 13% undecided in China. In the development Business of a concrete action plan, a clear ‘Yes’ or a clear ‘No’ is of immense help. Both Conspirators Government countries must strive through public Co-operation rather than conflict should have been the leitmotif of their policy intervention to convert the ‘No’ rise as global economic powers, but both China and India have failed to into ‘Yes’ for everlasting peace and economic cooperation in the region. dispel the mutual suspicion that blights bilateral ties. And the media must India Response: By Occupation shoulder a lot of the blame. Threat Perception How do the media look at the threat perception? Almost 63 per cent media PD Kaushik persons in India view China as a threat Others to India. The most common reason for 19% 21% n a democracy, media is the fourth such an opinion can be attributed to Media estate, comprising both print and strong China-Pakistan ties. Likewise, Ielectronic medium. It is more almost 60 per cent media persons in powerful than the legislature, executive China also feel that “India is a threat to 20% 20% Academics and judiciary because of its reach China.” The issue of Tibet and growing 20% and impact on public opinion. It is a closeness of India with the United Business common feeling that media on both States were some of the reasons for sides of the border has not played a such a perception. constructive role in improving relations Such kind of threat perception Government between the two countries. For existing in the minds of media instance, media in India and China have persons on both sides of the border downplayed positive achievements, but is understandable. Since media keeps threat. Perhaps the Central region has negative incidents have been blown a continuous watch on the actions of Almost 63 per cent media a lower threat perception due to its out of proportions. Such coverage the government, any inconsistency in persons in India view location and its level of development, and reporting have adversely impacted government’s public posturing sows both social and economic. But the low public opinion in both countries. Is the the seeds of suspicion in the minds. China as a threat to India. threat perception in the East was quite media to be blamed for such sensational China’s equivocal stand on the issue The most common reason unexpected. A majority of the news coverage merely to catch eyeballs or are of Pak-supported terrorist outfits reporting incursions by the Chinese there other issues which dictate media and insurgency activities in Kashmir, for such an opinion can army comes from the eastern side. So coverage. A nationwide survey on such clandestine military and technological be attributed to strong could it be construed that more than perceptions, however, contradicts the aid to Pakistan, etc., raise the suspicions 30 years of uninterrupted Left rule myth of negative reporting. of the Indian media on the bonafide China-Pakistan ties. in the East has somewhat influenced The overall sample of the survey intentions of China for peaceful and Likewise, almost 60 per the media favourably towards China? comprised 20 per cent respondents strong relations with India. Likewise, Except for political reasons, one from the Indian media and 10 per cent the existence of the Government cent media persons in cannot attribute the rationale for such from the Chinese media. In fact, it is of Tibet in exile in Dharamshala in a response. interesting to note that media on both India and India’s official position on China also feel that “India Thus, it can be safely concluded sides of the border suffers from lots Tibet is viewed as inconsistent and is a threat to China.” that awareness levels about the issues of misconceptions about each other. contradictory by the Chinese media. between India and China are high in Indian journalists felt India was not Thus, media persons on both sides of Almost 60 per cent in the Indian the media, as compared with other even on the radar of the Chinese media the border rate the opposite side as a media located in the North, South occupation categories. Besides, political, because more newsworthy actions are looming threat. and West suffer from a higher threat economic and social development taking place in other parts of the world. The threat perception in the media perception. But a minority in the East has a strong bearing on perception of Chinese journalists however felt that also seems to have a regional variation. and Central region viewed China as a the media.

Improving Ties Threat Perception in Indian Media: Regionwise Basis Improved Relations On improved and peaceful relations, 92 per cent Indians and 75 per cent Chinese want improved relations between India and China. Central 100 Around 5 per cent Indians and 19 per cent Chinese opted for “Undecided.” 18% 23% This response may be indicative of a West 80 general lack of awareness about India among the Chinese or vice-versa. It is interesting to note there is still 23% East 60 Indians 23% an insignificant minority view in 14% both countries, who exactly feel the 40 Chinese opposite. Around 3 per cent Indians South and 7 per cent Chinese do not want 20 improved relations between the two North countries. Even though a minority, but still it is imperative to understand the background of the respondents under ‘Others’ and ‘Business’ exhibited out to the reasons for the alleged 0 to formulate a coherent view on their a strong preference for improved negative reporting. When the media YesNo choice. relations with India. But the Chinese in China has a strong threat perception The strong preference for improved media was somewhat not convinced from India, it is understandable that relations in India is evenly distributed on this issue with a very low preference news reports would focus on issues Regional Distribution: Undecided on Improved Relations among all occupations. However, it is (almost 9 per cent) for improved which strengthen their commonly interesting to note that such is not in the ties with India. This is an interesting held belief. On the contrary, almost 18 case in China. Mainly those categorise observation, which conclusively points per cent government officials and 13 per cent academics in China favoured improved relations with India. In other words, such a response was on expected 60 lines because of the official position of China in respect to ties between the 50 two countries. An overwhelmingly favourable response was received for improvement of ties by all occupations 40 in India. However, 3 per cent did not favour the proposition. Among these, almost 63 per cent represented the 30 India media. In no uncertain terms, the same reasons as observed in China could be 20 China attributed to the Indian response. The analysis of undecided responses gives an interesting insight about the 10 perception of people on both sides of the border. The ‘Media’ clocked the lowest in the undecided category 0 in both countries on this issue. In NorthWest South East Central other words, the media on both sides of the border have very strong views on this subject whether favourable China improve, and vice-versa. The considerably downplayed the business unresolved border disputes. Almost 71 or unfavourable. However, in the Western region in China and Eastern interest of the Chinese business per cent Indians felt safe to do business ‘Business’ category, almost 39 per cent region in India have conflicting views community. Only 22 per cent with China despite border disputes. in India and 30 per cent in China on strengthening India-China ties, respondents from China felt safe to do Media, once again on both sides of remained undecided on the issue of which reflect on the large majority business with India. Around 31 per cent the border, exhibited its suspicions in improved relations between the two of respondents from these respective Chinese felt unsafe to do business with favour of the proposition. countries. A widely held apprehension regions being ‘Undecided.’ India under the prevalent circumstances In India, the media preferred a among Indian manufacturers is about while 46 per cent were undecided. resolution of border disputes before the excessive inflow of Chinese goods Doing Business On the other side, business interests any close business engagement. In once relations between India and Unresolved border disputes ruled the Indian perception against other words, the media was a majority,

Business Interest Despite Unresolved Border Issues Occupation Distribution: Chinese Favouring on followed by Government (29 per cent). It is evident that a lack of awareness Business despiteUnresolved Border Disputes about India has left many Chinese undecided on the proposition, especially lawyers, doctors, consultants, 80 etc. It is also understandable for the Academic respondents from the government to 11% take up a cautious approach because of 70 Others the unresolved border issues. The media 27% on both sides of the border remained 60 lowest in the ‘Undecided’ category. Thus, it can be safely concluded Business that the opinion makers have become 50 32% highly opinionated. It is imperative Media to understand that the media is not 12% indulging in negative reporting by choice 40 in their pursuit for sensationalism. In Government fact, the government’s vacillating stand 30 18% and equivocal talk puts the Fourth Indians Estate in a highly confusing situation and make them more suspicious. 20 Chinese The belief of such a threat pushes the media to report the information which confirms their belief and 10 ignore the information which belies Occupation Distribution: Chinese Undecided on Doing their perception. Therefore, it will be 0 wrong to blame the media for negative YesNoCan’t Say Business despite Unresolved Border Disputes reporting. This observation leads to a suggestion that government interventions and almost 49 per cent, among those who stand should be unequivocal and were opposed to doing business despite transparent to instill a confidence in the unresolved border dispute. A Academic the media and change their overall similar response was received from the 13% perceptions. The government’s action Chinese media, comprising almost 54 Others should be directed at changing the per cent among those who felt unsafe 33% threat perception which lurks in the to do business with India. Business minds of journalists on both sides of Largely, the Indian perception 17% the border. When both governments was uniformly distributed across conduct confidence building measures, occupation and region in favour of it is imperative to allow the media to doing business despite the unresolved interact with the interlocutors so that border dispute. Respondents were of Media Government their general awareness is raised and the view that resolving the border- there is a perceptible change in their related dispute was a major challenge 8% 29% beliefs. This change of perception in for both countries but it that it would the media will ensure that some of the not be beneficial to both countries negative issues are downplayed and if business interests were clubbed positive issues get wider publicity for with border related disputes. Politics the larger public interest.  and economics must be kept apart for safeguarding national interest. In fact, this view was held by a majority the media felt it was safe to do business All those who felt that the border of youth in the 19-30 and 31-40 age with India despite unresolved border dispute needed to be resolved first groups (almost 60 per cent). disputes. One view was influenced by were mainly from the ‘Others’ category On the Chinese side, the perception the threat perception, but the other (34 per cent). But on this proposition, exhibited suspicion and caution. The view was more dismissive on account of there was a large majority of undecided media exhibited serious reservations on security of business interest, especially respondents (46 per cent) in China. PD Kaushik is Associate Director of the the issue. Only 11 per cent respondents in the light of terrorist threat and civil Mostly respondents from the ‘Others’ Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies. from academics and 12 per cent from unrest in India. category (33 per cent) were undecided, His views in this article are personal)

In the second decade of the 21st 12th five-year plan, I am sure that pursue its policy of open to the outside century, China, like India, is trying hard China’s economy will achieve a steadier, and engage in mutually beneficial Pump up the wares, not beware to search for a more efficient, healthier healthier and relatively fast speed of cooperation with all countries in the and sustainable way to develop its development in a comprehensive, world, especially the neighboring economy. The just concluded Chinese balanced, coordinated and sustainable countries. As has already been proven, National People’s Congress has manner. I must point out that to China’s development is an opportunity adopted the 12th Five-Year Plan which achieve the set objectives, China cannot to other countries rather than a threat. has laid out the road map for the future do without interacting with the rest of And it will remain to be so. Reshaping development of China in all fronts. the world. China will stick to the path China and India are already From which one can see the shift of the of peaceful development, continue to important economic and trade focus of its economic development. partners. In 2010, the bilateral trade has First, China attaches more China and India, as two reached USD 61.76 billion, an increase the world importance on the quality of its of 42.4% from 2009. At present, China economic growth rather than merely great civilizations, have is a leading trading partner of India, on the growth rate. It sets the target and India ranks No. 9 among China’s of annual growth rate of 7% for the come back to the centre partners. next five years. The main purpose is of the world stage as During Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to economy to transform the pattern of economic India last December, the two countries growth, adjust the economic structure economic powers in agreed to set 100 billion USD as a so as to raise the quality and efficiency the process of the past new target for bilateral trade by China and India can of economic performance rather than 2015. This is encouraging. However, complement each other mere figures. few decades. With 2.5 compared with China’s trade volume Second, China will further with Japan, South Korea and ASEAN by building good synergy consolidate and strengthen the position billion population, huge this is far from big enough. Taken the between hardware and of agriculture as the foundation of the markets and continuously size of economy and population, as economy. well as the geographic proximity of software—or in other Third, China is to mobilize its expanding economy, two countries into consideration, there words between the domestic market to ensure a sustained China and India are are still vast space and great potential growth instead of relying heavily on for us to explore. world’s factory and the foreign demand. Expanding domestic showing the potential of Apart from trade, China and consumption is a long-term strategy of reshaping the future of India can be partners in investment world’s office. China’s economic development as well and financial cooperation. India as a fundamental means for promoting the world economy. has launched a massive scheme of balanced economic development. Fourth, China will continue to undertake scientific development. More emphasis will be given to new and green technologies. The energy and resource efficiency, and environment- Zhang Yan expanding economy, China and India However, in spite of the excellent friend will be the key parameters of are showing the potential of reshaping economic performance and remarkable the economic growth. At the same hina and India’s economic the future of the world economy. improvement of people’s living time more emphasis will be put on emergence has been a hot topic Against the adverse global economic standard, we are soberly aware that the use and innovation of advanced Cnowadays. To discuss their environment brought about by the China is still a developing country in technologies to turn “China produce” economic performance and economic financial crisis, China and India many senses. Although China’s GDP into “China design” or “China invent”. cooperation surely is an even hotter economies maintained robust growths ranks second in the world, but in per Fifth, more importantly, in the new subject. I am grateful for ICS and at 10.3% and 8.7% respectively in 2010. capita terms, it is still lagging far behind. five-year plan, the Chinese government ICEC (India China Economic and It has been widely predicted that both Furthermore, China’s development is is giving increasing attention to the Cultural Council) for organizing this countries will maintain the momentum not quite balanced in terms of economic wellbeing of its peoples and measures conference which I deem very timely of high growth in the coming years. structure and distribution of wealth. are going to be taken to improve the and pertinent and I am happy to share People around the world are making Challenges, such as energy, resources distribution of wealth among the some of my views with you. all kinds of projections about the and environment constraints will not people and different regions with the China and India, as two great future of China and India economies. go away easily. It is true that China is aim to narrow the gap and make sure civilizations, have come back to the It is encouraging to know that most of a leading producer of many products, that each and every citizen enjoy the centre of the world stage as economic them are positive. but it remains at the lower end of the fruits of economic growth, so as to powers in the process of the past few As for China, the past few years global industrial chain. We still heavily achieve an inclusive development and decades. With 2.5 billion population, have witnessed rapid increase of depend on the core technologies from promote social harmony. huge markets and continuously overall national economic strength. developed countries. With the implementation of the

infrastructure development which world office. requires huge financial resources and in the new five-year plan, Furthermore, China and India technical expertise. With 2.8 trillion the Chinese government should continue to work together USD foreign exchange reserve and to build a more fair and equitable rich experience in infrastructure is giving increasing international economic and financial development, China is no doubt an system. The two countries need to ideal partner for India to work with. attention to the wellbeing strengthen policies in order to promote China will accelerate the “go global” of its peoples and a robust, sustainable and balanced strategy and encourage the qualified growth of the world economy. And at enterprises and individuals to invest measures are going to the same time, the two countries should overseas. be taken to improve the work together to help other developing China and India also can work countries. together in manufacturing and high- distribution of wealth To further advance China and tech sector. In these areas, both among the people and India economic cooperation, I think have its edges. China is strong in additional efforts should be made in manufacturing, while India is good at different regions with the following areas: information technology, outsourcing 1. Diversify the economic service, banking and bio-technology, the aim to narrow the gap cooperation. We should be bolder just to name a few. Two countries can and make sure that each and creative in promoting our complement each other in these and cooperation. Mutual investments, other areas by building a good synergy and every citizen enjoy the cooperation in financial sector should between the hardware and software fruits of economic growth be intensified. Economic and trade and between world factory and the free zones and high-tech parks should

be set up in respective countries to India should start as early as possible the issues China and India must jointly provide platforms for entrepreneurs the negotiation process. As a first handle properly if we want to reach our and business people to interact step we can work on a Regional economic development goal. directly. Besides, joint undertakings on Trade Arrangement, and at the same China and India are facing projects in third countries should be time prepare the ground for a full- unprecedented opportunity of looked into. fledged FTA. development. The leaderships of two 2. Strive for a balanced bilateral 4. Set up new mechanisms. On countries are taking a long-term and trade. China is fully aware that an this point I am happy to say that the strategic perspective on our bilateral imbalanced trade is unsustainable in two sides are working vigorously on relations. Both sides are getting more the long run. Efforts should be made setting up the mechanisms of Strategic and more mature in handling challenges by both sides to expand the scope and Economic Dialogue and CEO Forum. and remaining difficult issues in our varieties of our trade so that we can Both will become new platform for the relations and not letting them hinder gradually reduce the gap and achieve two sides to address differences and our cooperation. What we need is not a balanced and healthy growth of enhance cooperation. only good vision but also firm actions. bilateral trade. With the aftermath of 5. Last but not the least, China As Mr Deng Xiaoping once said, the financial crisis lingering on, we see a and India should make good use of 21st century would not be the Asian rise of various forms of protectionism. intellectual resources to serve our Century if China and India are not The two countries should resolutely economic interests. Joint studies and developed. I believe that China and oppose any form of protectionism so as researches should be undertaken by India are ready to work together to to provide an environment conducive our academia, scholars and experts on translate it into a reality.  for trade cooperation. common challenges like how to ensure 3. Negotiate Bilateral Free Trade the energy and resources security, how (This is the speech delivered by the Chinese Agreement or Regional Trade to avoid the “population dividend” Ambassador to India HE Zhang Yan at the Arrangement. Both FTA and RTA becoming “population burden” as well Conference on “India-China Economic Relations are all useful tools in facilitating as how to avoid falling into the “middle- and Performance in the 21st Century” held by bilateral trade in a big way. China and income trap”. I am of the view these are the ICEC in March 20121.)

the capital and it grew continuously. It slowly trickled into the minds and Experts point out that Indian and Later Kublai Khan also clearly imaginations of a people. Much of Chinese thought and culture have preferred Buddhism. Buddhist Marco this trickling occurred during the been never divided by more than Polo has noted that Kublai Khan time of Emperor Mingdi and by 200 just their languages, which indeed accorded a magnificent ceremonial AD Chinese translations of Buddhist influenced the ideas, attitudes and reception to the relics of the Buddha, scriptures started to appear. The main even social conventions of their people. sent to him by the raja of Ceylon. Most reason for Chinese reluctance rooted Therefore Chinese, in ancient times, of Kublai’s successors were equally in the fact that Indian Buddhism philosophically lived in ‘the here and fervent Buddhists. Buddhist scholar, inherited the tradition of asceticism now’ and had little concern with ideas Bodhi Dharma travelled from India from Hindu thought. But the Chinese, focused on the possible life after death. to China along with other monks in as more practical people, focussed more They point out that the limitation of 475 AD. Bodhi Dharma introduced on some compelling ideas and qualities word-symbols of Chinese language to the teachings of the Buddha to the in Buddhism which they found of express ideas of existence beyond the Chinese, who were influenced by the value for their lives as individuals and reality as perceived through the senses teachings. Buddhism and Chinese a society. had probably caused this. Early Indian Taoism intermingled with one another. Actually Buddhism was the only sages and thinkers however expressed Buddhism in China reached its apogee religion assimilated into Chinese the opinion that life was suffering and during the Sui and Tang dynasties civilization before Christianity arrived. a sort of test or ironic game of Brahma. (581-907) but the Chinese Buddhism Prior to it Chinese life philosophy They thought and believed that life was distinctly different than the Indian hinged on what crystallized between truly begins with death and that the Buddhism. 250 and 600 AD in Confucianism physical senses often mislead people Buddhism was born in India. Lord and Taoism, with their emphasis into the world of pain and misery until Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, on practical matters, such as family, enlightenment frees them from their near the small city of Kapilavastu on civic duty, harmonious living and torments. That’s why Indian religious the borders of Nepal and India in the blending life with the natural order. scriptures teem with words dealing From India to China 6th century BC. He was born in a Unlike in India, it emphasised on with philosophical and religious noble family of Shakyas and grew up as the particular rather than the general abstractions. That’s why one can see Prince Siddhartha. He is also known as and its conduciveness to harmonious that, now globally popular, Yoga uses Shakyamuni, ‘the Sage of the Shakyas.’ resolution rather than debate. classical Indian terms such as samsara, He renounced his palace life and left home in search of enlightenment The Zen of after witnessing sights of suffering, sickness, aging and death. He achieved Enlightenment at Bodh-Gaya and gave his first sermon at Sarnath. He spent his remaining life in travelling, teaching and spreading Buddhism till Buddhism he passed away at 80 in 484 BC. Two centuries later, it was the Maurya King A religion that had its roots in India but blossomed Ashoka who converted to Buddhism having got disillusioned after a deadly in faraway China. war. It was he who vigorously spread the religion across India as far as Hindu Kush, Kabul, Gandhara and P S Deodhar Korea and Japan. Buddhism not only other parts of north-western India. affected the lives and cultures of those This provided an ideal medium for the ivilizations, they say, grew regions but also left us with a world of further spread of Buddhism along the along the banks of rivers being wonders in arts and literature. trade route. Cour life lines. World’s oldest Buddhism penetrated Hun as early For a variety of reasons Buddhism international highway, the Silk Route as the 2nd century BC but took roots was not accepted in China in its helped export Buddhism to China. after 65AD when the Han emperor purely Indian form. Bodhi Dharma Besides silk, paper and other goods, the Mingdi dreamt about Buddha and introduced various forms of Buddhism Silk Road carried another commodity sent his official Cai Yin to India to to China but actually there were which was equally significant in learn more about Buddhism. Cai Yin gradual textural changes as Buddhism world history, Buddhism. It became returned with two Buddhist monks permeated the life of Chinese society. the vehicle which spread Buddhism named She-mo-teng and Chu-fa-lan It was natural since China was already through Afghanistan, Central Asia, to preach in China. Soon a Buddhist rich and diversified before the arrival Xinjiang (Chinese Turkistan), China, community was established in Loyang, of Buddhism across the Himalayas.

maya, atman etc. For example, the Mahayana school. Buddhism in India average Indian sees man’s role within For a variety of reasons was a rational evolution emerging from the context of a larger, abstract whole Buddhism was not accepted the context of Hindu philosophy. while the Chinese interprets everything Buddhism accepted the Vedic posture from a personal point of view since in China in its purely that sense-based life is suffering and most Chinese grow up to be utilitarian Indian form. Bodhi Dharma must be transcended to experience a and pragmatic. higher state of realization. However, it The differences between Indian introduced various forms differed from Hinduism on a number and Chinese culture can also be of Buddhism to China of important points such as the use of seen in common visual symbols. In rites, moral precepts and the definition Indian thought the sphere — a three- but actually there were of God etc. dimensional embodiment of harmony The Four “Noble Truths” in — was the preferred symbol for the gradual textural changes Buddhism state that “suffering exists, perfect expression of reality. Indian as Buddhism permeated the there is a cause to suffering, suffering thinkers also considered the wheel to can cease and there is a path which leads be a symbol of perfect reality. Here, life of Chinese society. to permanent cessation of suffering. It the idea of motion was inherent in is interesting to note that Buddhism the symbolism of the wheel. Life was truth. Buddha reportedly said, “Accept holds that life is suffering, not evil, a wheel, in a sense, as human life rolls my words only after you have examined such as some of the Hindu pundits from birth to death to rebirth over them for yourselves; do not accept them proclaimed. Mahayana Buddhism, countless incarnations. simply because of the reverence you accepted in China, contradicted the Chinese thinkers, however, have for me.” It was just this emphasis doctrine of Nirvana as conceived by once again revealed a different on individual action and practical other Hindu thinkers. The Nirvana dimensionality in their thought rewards in the here and now which of the Hindu yogis was a complete processes. While the Indian symbol of greatly appealed to many Chinese once annihilation of being, for they thought perfect reality is three-dimensional and the philosophy crossed their borders. that existence is evil, and evil is misery, kinetic, the Chinese symbol, the circle, This idiosyncratic quality developed and the only way to escape misery is to appears flat and stationary. The circle in China takes shape in the form of the destroy the root of existence, which however appears throughout Chinese is nothing less than the total cessation be achieved through the complete early Chinese were especially suspect of culture in many important contexts, of human desires, sensual pleasures cessation of existence as we commonly any philosophy that taught ‘suffering in such as the unit of the yin/yang icon. and activities. This is a point of view know it. The way to conquer suffering this life, happiness in the next.’ During One of the most appealing premises antithetical to Chinese thought. It is and attain Nirvana is outlined in the Han and T’ang dynasties, Buddhist of Buddhism is its emphasis on also a point of view which Paramahansa the “Eightfold Path” which holds ideas benefited due to the state of individual exploration, deliberation, Yogananda, a highly regarded yogi of that one must develop the “right” instability and uncertainty of those debate and practice. According to the 20th century, does not endorse. He understanding, thought or motives, times, just the sort of environment the Buddha himself, enlightenment too says that existence is not evil, but speech, action, means of livelihood, which welcomes a point of view cannot be reached by team effort. the play or game of God. effort, mindfulness and concentration. which admits that life is tough and Ultimately, it is one man or Buddha did not teach that These concepts are abstract enough that there is a way to overcome it, at woman working alone who Nirvana (complete awareness) could to inspire many contrasting canons least on a personal level. With the can uncover the path to the of philosophical speculation and yet disillusionment with Confucianism, specific enough to promote a certain widespread anarchy and invasions by level of ethical commitment or non-Chinese in the north, Buddhism behaviour in anyone who claimed to made major inroads into China and follow the Buddha’s way. Underlying also adapted itself along the way. It was these precepts are injunctions to during this time in the sixth century mindfulness and compassion which that the 28th Bodhi Dharma and adds warmth through personalization thousands of less well-remembered and concern for others, making the monks communicated an alternative Path more than a cold list of required way of living and thinking to men and commandments. women looking for a new answer to Chinese thinkers were especially ancient concerns. attracted to the idea that the doctrine Chinese Buddhism, Mahayana (Dharma) and rules of conduct were and Zen, took on a very different cast not in themselves the end, but rather from its expression in India. Chinese practical guides to help individuals scholars were quick to translate achieve their highest potential. the sutras into their native tongue Buddhism gradually adapted itself to but not without reflecting certain Chinese attitudes and customs. The national idiosyncrasies. China’s

March-April 2011 . India-China Chronicle |47| convergence of Buddhism and Taoism is today seen everywhere in India; Zen adepts became masters of the in China and its later refinement in actually more in educated rich than the arts such as calligraphy, ink painting, Japan produced the philosophy we poor have-nots! archery, flower arrangement, and know today as Zen. The Indian goal, whether impressionistic poetry. Zen in China challenged the ritual intellectual or spiritual, is to transcend According to the Zen practitioner trappings which impeded intellectual nature, which is often portrayed as a it is about the search of the most and spiritual progress. Ritual, at the deluder of the senses, in order to attain ordinary of questions: “Why am I popular level, persisted in all religious a higher order of consciousness. In here?” and “What am I supposed to practices —Zen-like practices included; contrast, the practical Chinese mind do about it?” Even at the outer limits it was Zen’s emphasis on a monastic, delights in a nature which is the source of philosophical inquiry, the Chinese more contemplative existence which of all good things. For this reason, manage to bring a “down to earth” inspired intellectual consideration when Buddhism became part of the attitude to whatever they undertake. of the role of ritual in the pursuit of Chinese mindscape, love of nature and As a result of these adaptations, truth. Zen masters criticized reliance what is “natural” became a significant Buddhism in its Chinese incarnation on rituals for a number of reasons: part of its philosophy. Nirvana which flourished in China by the 11th one begins to depend on the practice in India was perceived as a state akin century whereas by then it had all but of rites for the comfort of a pseudo- to samadhi, or ultimate transcendence, disappeared in India!!.  religious atmosphere; rites encourage became in China a state of heightened, personal laziness and discourage all-absorbing awareness of a reality individual search for answers; one which included nature and the classical conservative ways of thinking that there is no other reality than the introduction of altruism and the becomes attached to temples or other ordinary. Members of a Buddhist sect modified the form of its reception of everyday life. China was, after all, the concept of the bodhisattva mentioned sites and to certain modes of behaviour, taught that all existences — even grass, Buddhism. Chinese Buddhists took home of Taoism, one of the premier above. none of which inspire bold individual trees, and earth can attain Buddha- over the doctrine founded and taught mystical traditions of the world. Like in India, in China too, ethics initiatives; rituals can lull us to sleep hood. Because they were forced to by Sakyamuni, and considered it their Taoism, most noted for its colourful was written and taught for the use philosophically and spiritually, acting express this unique philosophy in PS Deodhar is President of India China Economic rituals and magic, has as its foundation of those literate few who were the as a kind of Novocaine of the mind and non-logical terms and because of the and Cultural Council. He can be reached at duty to exalt their interpretation of [email protected]. his teaching, in spite of the fact that a profound tradition of introspection; potential leaders of the people. The soul. This manifestation of religion limitations of the Chinese language, Chinese Buddhism differs from Indian understanding of the essential elements common people, being illiterate, were Buddhism in many respects. Therefore, of life, as expressed through nature and expected to follow the practices of the they rewrote arbitrarily even the beauty. The Chinese have always been literate; hence if morality was taught to sentences of the sutra. This modified utilitarian, down-to-earth people, more the literates, it would spread through Our Experience, Your Imagination Mahayana Buddhism therefore concerned with creature comforts and the society. What started out in appealed to the Chinese during its practicality than the abstract concepts India as an abstract concept, in China period of greatest acceptance when addressed by Buddhism. Therefore the took root because it was an idea with the promise of a higher life beyond the Chinese hunger for ideas, as opposed practical consequences. From the first suffering of the present was a strong to a specific religious “solution,” led century onward, Buddhist ideas about cultural idea; something which neither to the unique symbiosis of Buddhism, man’s responsibility to others resulted Confucianism nor Taoism could Confucianism and Taoism in China in the growth of relief measures to provide. Unlike the Theravada school through modern times — a situation aid the poor, medical treatment popular in southern Asia, however, where worldly people and intellectuals even for the indigent and education Mahayana Buddhism placed more alike combined elements of all three offered through the temple. Chinese focus on helping others achieve the goal philosophies in constructing their own, Buddhists performed these acts not Tour Packages-inbound and outbound. of liberation. This led to the ideal of the individual perspectives. out of individual concern for others, bodhisattva, the saint who comes to the This emphasis on individualism but rather “to identify with others” threshold of Nirvana and proceeds no also is a Chinese characteristic which in the sense that one should achieve further, accepting reincarnation in the shaded its approach to Buddhism. oneness with the Tao and identity with Have got qualified Chinese language experts in the company and also in its panel. world until others experience freedom. As Buddhism became more “human” all sentient beings. Bodhisattvic philosophers would in China, it also had something to Bodhidharma is credited with not be content with thinking things contribute to Chinese ideas about man introducing Zen in the sixth century Experienced in handling MICE events. through for themselves; they wouldn’t and his place in society. Apart from the to a China which already had proven rest until their students, too, were well strict social codes of Confucianism, fertile ground for the development on their way to understanding. there was little in Chinese ethical of Buddhism. It suited the Chinese Zen Buddhism, on the other thought relating to the obligations tradition of practicality, common hand, is the most and least mystical of the individual to others not in sense and its matter-of-factness. Era Tours & Travels (India) Pvt. Ltd. of religion-philosophies; the most, if his family. One of the ways in which However once the path of nonverbal, (Recognised by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India) 210 New Delhi House, 27 Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001 (India) by mysticism you mean focus on the Buddhist ideas freshened stale patterns direct awareness entered the Chinese Tel.: (0091-11) 23323190, 23711404, 23311337 Fax: 011-66304663 inner life and cultivation of insight; of thought and enriched the moral consciousness, profound changes E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.eraindiatours.com the least, to the extent that Zen teaches texture of the nation was through occurred. To many observers, the

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ICEC Mansarovar Project ailash Mansarovar, located in Action Agenda Ngari in Tibet China, is con- The ICEC personally met all The agenda was to bring all the sidered sacred in five religions major religions representatives and ideas on the table and decide on the –K Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, invited them to the summit which future action plan. It was also agreed Taoism and Tibetan Bonism. It is one included Swaminarayan, ISKCON, in the preliminary discussion to form a of the most important destinations for Ram Krishna Mission, Ram Chandra committee who will continue to meet all pilgrims. It is the ultimate dream of Mission, JITO, Sheth Anandji Kalyanji at regular intervals once the work has a pilgrim to visit Kailash Mansarovor, Trust (Jains) among others to discuss started to discuss on the changes and at least once in a lifetime. and share their individual and religions improvisations as and when needed. However, due to the harsh points of view. They will also have a task to implement environment, arduous journey and lack The ICEC also invited people who the agreed ideas and suggestions during of proper facilities at the site of the have already visited Kailash Mansarovar the construction work. pilgrimage, it is difficult for millions of to understand the journey from the pilgrims to fulfill their life-long dream. pilgrims point of view. Suggestions Fortunately, since July 2010, the Ngari It was a very interesting discussion Airport has started operations it will Summit and the wealth of knowledge and take only 40 minutes from New Delhi People from the two governments, experience which was shared during the by flight to reach the pilgrimage site as above mentioned religious groups, summit was compared to nothing else. compared to several days of journey. cultural organizations and business With so many different religions and This will lead to encourage many enterprises were also present at the spiritual representations we had some Indians to visit Mansarovar. forum and shared their suggestions for very interesting suggestions from all the Cultural Park. participants. Some of the suggestions Idea At present, the facilities at Kailash Those who attended are not up to the mark. In fact HE Mr. Name Organization Sun Yuxi, former Ambassador of China to India’s visit to Akshardham in Gan- Mr. Jagat Shah Convenor, Kailash Mansarovar dhinagar for an ICEC programme two Cultural Park years ago ignited the idea of developing Mr. Akshaya K. Jain Akshaya Jain & Raka Chakravarty a Cultural Park at Kailash Mansarovar (Temple Designing) for pilgrims. A lot of research and dis- cussions have since gone into the idea Ms. Alice Wang Director, China National Tourist Office and the Panzhihua Guanghua Group Real Estate Development Co. with Mr. Deepak Agarwal Mangla Exports Inc. support from the local government has (Temple builder) started to develop a cultural centre and Mr. Vrajendra Nandan Prabhu ISKCON other local facilities at the site to make the pilgrim’ stay easy and comfortable. Mohd. Saqib, Secretary General, ICEC ICEC has been entrusted with the Mr. Yang Tianlong Chairman of Panzhihua Guanghua Group task of involving all major religious and Real Estate Development Co.(PGG), Ltd. & spiritual stake holders in India to come Vice Chairman, China South Asian Business and discuss ideas to make this Cultural Council Park to meet the requirements and needs of all religions and make it one Mr. Atul Shunglu Assistant Secretary General, FICCI Cultural park of the best in the world. Mr. Sumeet Gupta, Adani AgriLogistics Pvt Ltd. Plan Mr. Kalpesh Bhatt Swaminarayan Akshardham The India China Economic & Mr. Jayesh Gadhia Swaminarayan Akshardham Cultural Council (ICEC) will understand the requirement for such a site Mr. Jignesh Shelat Ram Chandra Mission for all religions and the associate religious sensitivi- Dr. R.N. Das Senior Fellow, IDSA. ties. In association with the Center for It was the 11th century Tibetan poet who once said: “There is no place more the South Asia and Western China Mr. K C Gandhi UPES Cooperation and Development Mr. Arun Pandeya CEO - Air Canada powerful for practice, more blessed, or more marvelous than this (Mount Studies, Sichuan University, the ICEC Mr. Xiaojun Li, CEO, Dragon Exim (India) Private Limited Kailash). May all pilgrims and practitioners be welcome.” How true! organized a historic summit on the “Kailash Mansarovar Culture Park” on Mr. Shishodia Adani AgriLogistics Pvt Ltd 16 May 2011 in Delhi.

understand and follow certain issues relating to the religious sensitivities of various groups. 6] Information and awareness about Kailash Mansarovar: To encourage more and more people to visit the centre. 7] Museum: To develop a museum to share the information and ideas relating to Mansarovar involving all religions. 8] To develop a research lab for studying the geographic impacts and the changes that have occurred in Kailash over a period of time. 9] To develop a library with Indian and Chinese literature to share knowledge with the visitors at the centre. 10] To develop a language centre to learn about and share different cultures agreed during the meeting were as 2] Logistics: To take care of logistic and religions. follows: requirements for people visiting the 1] Acclimatization: Pilgrims com- cultural park. Next step ing from different areas and weather 3] Construction: To include the It was decided to take a trial flight conditions might have some issues to ideas and inputs of all the religions of 40 people from Delhi in July as the get acclimatized to the extreme involved. first group. This will consist of religious weather at Kailash, especially if they 4] Food: Certain religions have groups present at the meeting and reach from a hot and humid weather specific requirements for food which committee members to overlook the such as Delhi to an extremely cold has to be looked into. construction and implement the Kailash in 40 minutes. 5] Religious sensitivities: To suggestions discussed at the summit. 

|52| India-China Chronicle . March-April 2011 the exhibition was a sculpture of the sleeping Buddha. It is heartening that the civilizational and cultural linkage between the two nations and their people have been assiduously carried forward in modern times. A resounding statement of India’s support and solidarity was evident even prior to India’s independence. The two countries, their leaders and their people found themselves in the same pages of History in the protracted fight against imperialism and colonialism. The first joint action plays against imperialism was by India and China, when their representatives signed and made a ‘joint-declaration’ at the International Congress against imperialism, and for national independence, held in Brussels in February, 1927. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru represented the Indian National Congress at the Brussels National Congress where thirteen delegates from India were present. Besides Buddhism, which is LEGACY OF TAGORE, KOTNIS a perennial source of bonding between India and China, two towering figures have epitomized and carried forward India-China friendship The groundswell and amity to greater heights. One is Dr. Dwarknath Kotnis, the legendary doctor who served in China during a very critical juncture of its national of goodwill life in the late 1930s and died there leaving behind an indelible imprint. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Besides Buddhism, two towering figures have whose 150th birth anniversary is being epitomized and carried forward India-China celebrated this year, was yet another iconic figure who continues to nourish friendship and amity to great heights. and nurture relationship between the two countries and their people. Tagore is also rated by the leading Chinese Rup Narayan Das Dharma Kshama, and Paramartha. If daily People’s Daily as one of the fifty Chinese scholars gravitated towards important personalities who have n the narrative of Sino-Indian India, as also India attracted a number influenced modern Chinese thinking. civilizational linkage, the cultural of Chinese scholars, who left behind The enigma of China had fascinated Iand philosophical bonding their indelible imprint on India. Of the cosmic vision of Tagore defying time occupies a very important position. these, the best known are Fa Hien and and space. Tagore’s engagement with From time immemorial, trade and Hiuan-Tsang, whose records of travels China coincided at a time when both commercial intercourse between India form an important source material of India and China were passing through and China which are well researched India’s social and political history. a churning process in the history of and documented, between land and sea, The imprint and impact of the two countries. Those were the embraced ideas as well as merchandise. Buddhism on Chinese sculptures and times when China was passing through As is well-known, there was a regular artifacts were eloquently showcased in a firmament. In the historic 1911 stream of Buddhist missionaries from February this year when the National Revolution, the nationalist party KMT India to China, beginning in 65 AD Museum of India organized a tapestry under the leadership of Dr. Sun Yat-sen with Kashyapa Matanga, who was of Chinese sculptures in New Delhi. came to power ending feudalism and followed by such scholars as Kumarajiva, One of the connoisseur’s delights at imperialism. In India the situation was

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not very different. It was a coincidence made up his mind to accept the invita- Tagore and his entourage left Hong for brightness…”. If China impacted that the year republicanism came into tion. Other members of Tagore’s high Kong on 9thApril by boat and reached Indian minds, like that of Tagore, In- being in China, in India the capital profile team included the renowned Shanghai on 12th April, recounts Kh- dia has also equally fascinated Chinese was transferred from Calcutta to scholar of Indology Khitimohan Sen itimohan Sen in his ‘Meeting of the scholars. Ji Xianlin, who passed away Delhi signaling the consolidation who later wrote an excellent account of Brothers With Gurudeva in China’, in July 2009, at the age of 98, was an of colonialism and correspondingly Tagore’s China visit, the famous artist published in ‘Sino-Indian Journal’ in imminent scholar whose erudition will the clamour for freedom gained Nandalel Bose, L.K. Elmhirst, Direc- 1947 and reproduced by Indian Ho- continue to be a great source of Indian momentum in the country. There tor of Sriniketan and Dr. Kalidas Nag rizon in 1994. The meeting between culture and tradition. The government was a new awakening in both India from Calcutta University. Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Tagore, however, of India, in recognition of his seminal and China. The idea of nationalism, The high profile team left Calcutta could not take place as South China contributions, which includes Chinese freedom and liberty had stirred the on March 21, 1924 and reached Hong was passing through political turbu- translation of Ramayana, had conferred hearts and minds of the people of Kong on 7 April. In Hong Kong, Sec- lence. On 25th April Tagore was greet- Padma Bhushan on him in 2008. the two countries separately and retary to Dr. Sun Yat-sen met Tagore ed in Beijing with a rousing reception, The legendary doctor Dwarkanath independently. The two countries were and conveyed the message to him that organized by Liang Qichao, who was Kotnis was yet another iconic figure passing through a cataclysm. In China he should first go to Peking (Beijing) also the President of the Association who continues to be the harbinger of an old and archaic order gave way to instead of Canton, the seat of Dr. Sun Chinese Universities. Liang Qichao in- Sino-Indian amity and friendship. It republicanism and in India resurgent Yet Sen, father of Chinese national- troduced Tagore to enthusiastic audi- may be recalled that Jawaharlal Nehru, The tomb of Dwarkanath Kotnis in China nationalism was brewing in the length ist revolution and President of KMT. ence with fulsome praise and said, “In- who crafted the foreign policy of India, and breadth of the country. dia is our elder brother and we are the even prior to independence, was pained the Chinese left an entire hospital at a young age of 32 only. His death was It was against this backdrop that younger. This is not only an expression when the war broke out between at Kweimow in their charge, and in deeply mourned by the Chinese people Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in of courtesy, we have got ample proof China and Japan in 1938. He spoke their hospital at Kweimow, Dr. Kotnis and leaders. Rich tributes were paid to Literature bringing great laurel to Asia. of the statement in history”, wrote Kh- up for the Chinese people and aroused conducted a number of major and him when he died by leaders such as As soon as Tagore was catapulated to itimohan Sen, in his above-mentioned mass support for them. In this context, minor operations and cured hundreds Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De and international fame immediately after article. Tagore responded to the warm Marshal Zhu De, the Commander of of wounded soldiers for whom such Madam Sun Yat-sen. winning the Nobel Prize, he received sentiment in equal measure and said, “I the Eight Route Army, wrote a letter medical facilities would have otherwise Zhou Enlai in a condolence letter accolade and recognition in China am only a poet. Mr. Liang Chi-Chao is to Nehru expressing gratitude for the been impossible. to the bereaved Kotnis family wrote as well. According to Liu Jian, an a scholar.” During his 58 days sojourn moral support of the Indian people, Dr. Kotnis discharged his that Dr. Kotnis was a symbol of the acknowledged Chinese scholar on in China, which ended on 29 May, and appealed for the medical supplies, responsibilities with dedication friendship between the great Chinese Tagore, the first Chinese article to Tagore visited important places and surgical instruments and to train despite personal setbacks. His father and Indian nations and a shining introduce Tagore’s philosophy was befriended a number of distinguished doctors and nurses. Zhu De’s appeal in the meanwhile passed away on example of the Indian people. The Qian Zhixu’s ‘Tagore’s outlook on life” Chinese scholars who later contrib- stirred Nehru to give a call for China December 28, 1938, under very tragic epitaph that Marshal Zhu De wrote on which appeared in a leading Chinese uted in deepening and strengthening Solidarity Day throughout India on 9 circumstances and the economic Kotnis’ tomb is worth mentioning. He journal in the same year. However, friendship and understanding between January 1938. He also took the initiative backbone of the family was broken. wrote, “Brought up on the banks of the Chen Duxiu, a renowned Professor the two countries and their people. to send a medical team with necessary Although he was deeply saddened, Ganges, you came to take part in our at Peking (Beijing) University, wrote The high point of Tagore’s visit to supplies and instruments to China as a he maintained his poise and spirit of struggle in the Shanxi-Qatar-Hebei Liu Jian, was the first person in China India is our elder brother China was the celebration of his sixty- token of the Indian peoples’ sympathy service and remained committed to the Border Region. An international who translated Tagore’s poetry and and we are the younger. fourth birthday on 8 May, 1924 in and solidarity with the Chinese people mission of his life. doctor, your radiance will illuminate introduced the Nobel Laureate to the Beijing, where Liang Qichao coined in their struggle against colonialism Though, basically he was a medical our two great Nations.” Chinese readers. He translated some This is not only an expression the Chinese name of Tagore which and imperialism. practitioner, he identified himself with It is high time that we revisit of Tagore’s famous poems including of courtesy, we have got was ‘Zhendan’. According to Prof. Tan The medical team selected by a the Chinese cause virtually leading the the seminal contributions of these ‘where the mind is without fear’ ample proof of the Chung, a distinguished China scholar committee headed by Dr. Jivraj Meh- life of a proletarian comrade. He fell two iconic figures who immensely into Chinese. He also wrote a bio- of India who was conferred Padma ta, was led by Dr. M. Atal and had in in love with Guo Qinglan, a medical contributed for the lasting goodwill profile of Tagore. statement in history Bhushan by government of India for a it Dr. M.R. Cholkar, Dr. Bijay Kumar practitioner in the Eighth Route Army and understanding between the two It was in this context that when surname, Liang Qicha coined the word Basu, Dr. Deben Mukherjee and the in 1939. Their love culminated in countries and their people. At a time Tagore’s works were available in ‘zhu’ which was the abbreviation of young doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis. The marriage in November 1941. Kotnis when the two countries and their Chinese what provided instant reso- Tianchu (literally ‘Heavenly India’). At Indian medical mission to China was developed proficiency in Chinese people are redefining their cultural, nance and salience to Tagore’s ideas of a time when India and China are cele- the first of its kind to be sent by any language and political education with philosophical and political narrative, it nationalism and patriotism in China brating the poet’s 150th birth anniver- foreign country. Kotnis had just done the help of Guo Qinglan. is time these facts are find fresh insight was the historic May Fourth Movement sary, it is worthwhile to recall the words his MBBS and was set on a career of While his indomitable zeal never and added lustre.  of 1919, which was a momentous event of former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai further studies when the call came. deterred him from discharging his in China. It was an avant-garde move- about the Nobel Laureate while receiv- Yanan, in North Shanxi province, was duty, Kotnis developed serious illness ment. It was against this backdrop that ing the honour Desikottama by Visva the revolutionary base area set up by towards 1941 and his health started Tagore received an invitation to visit Bharati in 1956, where he said, “Tag- the Chinese Communists on the lines deteriorating fast. It is believed that he China from Professor Liang Qichao, ore was not only a talented poet who of Soviets in Russia. It was here that developed malaria which was endemic a distinguished scholar sometime had made outstanding contributions the fighting was still going on and the at that time. The best medical facilities in early 1923. Although Tagore felt to world literature, but also an eminent medical aid was necessary. and attention was offered to him by the immensely happy at the invitation, he representative of the great Indian peo- Impressed with the competence Chinese authorities. In spite of this, Rup Narayan Das is a Sr. Fellow at the Institute for gave a serious thought to it and finally ple who resented darkness and strove and dedication of the Indian doctors, however he died on 9 December 1942 Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA)

ake Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) is nestled high in the Tianshan LMountains, 115 kilometers (71 miles) west of Urumqi in Xinjiang, China. The area is one of the few un- spoiled places in China. The crystal water reflects the snow-topped peaks, fluffy white clouds, and blue sky. This combined with the lush spruce forest covered shores create a truly breath- taking view. To the east of the lake stands the Bogda Peak – the highest peak in the eastern part of the Tian Shan Mountain, which is capped by snow. It is an alpine drift lake shaped in the Quaternary Glacier period. In a clear day, the snow-capped Bogda Peak glistens in the sun and finely contrasts with blue lake water to form fabulous scenery. Together with the steep forested hills and high meadows around, a full picture of heavenly beauty is presented before your eyes. The snow-capped Bogda Peak is the highest in the area and towers over the eastern portion of the lake. This was originally formed by an alpine once every 3000 years, the banquets lake itself is also a favorite hiking and drift taking place during the Quater- were understandably grand affairs. camping area. Many other entertaining nary Glacier period (covering the past All the mortals would gather for such options are available such as strolling two million years). On a clear day, the a long-awaited occasion, making the around the lake, riding electric carts, or snow-capped Bogda Peak glistens in lake area into something of a Little taking a boat ride. But the best aspect is the sun and forms a vivid contrast with Heaven, hence the name, Heavenly definitely the marvelous beauty of the the blue water below. Add in the steep Lake (Tianchi). entire area and the abundant places for forested hills and high meadows and it The ride to Tianchi Lake is only a gorgeous photo opportunities. makes a paradise on earth. three-hour drive from Urumqi. It pass- As if the natural beauty of Heav- A local legend says that the Heav- es a giant wind-farm, wide rivers, and enly Lake were not enough, legend enly Empress would hold a gala at this mountain pastures. From the chair lift adds a mysterious touch. It is said that lake whenever a local peach tree bore ride up to the lake you can see a number the West Queen (Xi Wang Mu) enter- fruit. As this only happened about of camps lining the valley below. The tained King Mu of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100B.C.-771B.C.) at the Lake. The West Queen fell in love with the king and asked him in her Tianchi Lake poem, ‘The white clouds drift while the mountains reach the blue sky. Pass- ing thousands of mountains, crossing ten thousands of rivers, you come to us from a faraway place. If you are still Excuse me while strong and fine, would you like to come back to us again?’ The king answered in his poem, ‘After I go back to central China and lead the people to a prosper- I kiss the sky ous life, I will come to you again.’ We do not know why the king never returned. Only the placid lake and the At this heavenly lake, white clouds drift silent mountains witnessed the love- while the mountains reach the blue sky. sickness of the West Queen. 

|56| India-China Chronicle . March-April 2011 India-China Chronicle |57| Time to Rejoice Trade Talks A few glimpses from the Chinese Spring Festival organized by the ICEC in which both The India-China Economic Conference is an annual event organized alternatively in Chinese and Indians participated to mark 2011 as the Year of China-India Exchange. India and China by the India China Economic and Cultural Council (ICEC).

Chinese Spring Festival 2011 THE CONFERENCE Ms. Li Jian Jian (Uma Li), performing Odissi Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar (Member of Parliament) dance at the festival addressing the audience at the conference.

Dr. Abid Hussain, Chairman, ICEC, chatting Mr. Ai Ping (Vice Minister, Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Saqib (Secretary General, ICEC) Dr. P.D. Kaushik, Associate Director, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Secretary General, FICCI Prof. Han Hanjun, Research Fellow, Institute with guests at the Chinese Spring festival The Communist Party of China), addressing with Mr. Huang Zhigang (First Secretary Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary of Economics, Shanghai Academy of Social the guests (Education), Embassy of China in India) Studies Sciences

HE Mr. Zhang Yan (China’s Ambassador to Ms. Xin Ru (Chinese student from Delhi Mr. Peng Gang (Commercial Counselor, Mr. Gautam Bambawale, Joint Secretary (East Dr. Sreemati Chakrabarti, Director, Prof. Ashok Ranchhod, Director, Mudra India), addressing the audience at the festival University), completes a painting in just Embassy of China), singing a Chinese song Asia), Ministry of External Affairs Institute of Chinese Studies Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad) two minutes

Indian and Chinese students of Kendriya Yogi Vipul Bhatti kept the audience enthralled The audience enjoying the performances. Mr. Wu Rong, CFO, ZTE Telecom India Pvt. Ltd. Dr. Abid Hussain, Chairman, ICEC Mr. Wei Min Yao, Vice President, Hindi Sansthan, Delhi University & JNU by his mesmerizing performance of amazing Huawei Telecommunications India Pvt. Ltd. belting out a Hindi song Yoga asanas

|58| India-China Chronicle . March-April 2011 March-April 2011 . India-China Chronicle |59| S. Exhibition Date Venue Products/Sectors Covered No.

1 7th China International 01 to 03 June Shanghai Automobile Interactive forum for policy makers, Exhibitions&Trade Automotive Exhibition Centre, manufacturers, technology providers, Electronics & Testing Shanghai funding agencies, scientists, innovators, Technology Show & engineers and industrialists from all over Summit (AES 2011) the world. In India • In China 2 Aquatech China 01 to 03 June Shanghai International All sectors of the process, drinking and Convention waste water industries Shows Center(SICEC), Shanghai

S. 3 China International 06 to 09 June Ningbo International Consumer Goods Exhibition Date Venue Products/Sectors Covered No. Consumer Goods Fair Conference Exhibition Center, Ningbo, 1 Build India 04 to 6 June Surat International Exhibition Infrastructural Industry Zhejiang & Convention Centre Surat, Gujarat 4 Guangzhou 09 to 12 June China Import & Export Decorative lighting, electric lights, LED

th International Lighting Fair Pazhou Complex technology, technical lighting, accessories 2 5 InterMachinery India 09 to 11 Bombay Exhibition Machinery & Equipment Sector Exhibition Guangzhou, and electronic components etc June Centre(BEC), Mumbai, Guangdong Maharashtra

3 Automotive Engineering 10 to 12 Chennai Trade & Convention Automotive Manufacturing 5 China Furniture 09 to 12 June Dalian Star-Sea Furniture and wood products Show June Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Woodworking Convention & Exhibition manufacturing industry Machinery (Dalian) Center, Dalian, Liaoning Exhibition 4 Global Summit on Green 15th June Hotel Taj Deccan Agriculture & Greenery Sector Revolution II Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 6 China Food Machinery 16 to 18 June China Import & Packaging and food machinery industry 5 Metal Buildings & Steel 23 to 25 Pragati Maidan Steel Structures & Allied Products & Packaging Export Fair Pazhou Structures Expo June New Delhi, Delhi Exhibition Complex, Guangzhou, Guangdong 6 Auto World Expo 23 to 26 Chennai Trade & Convention Auto Component manufacturers, OEMs, June Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu accessory manufacturers, services, garage 7 China International 26 June to 2 July Zhengzhou Auto accessories and components equipment, testing equipment and Auto Aftermarket International automotive aftermarket Fair & China Auto Convention & Exhibition Accessories Trade Fair Center, Zhengzhou, 7 PackPlus South 01 to 4 July Hyderabad International Packaging, processing and supply chain Henan Trade Exposition Centre(HITEX) 8 China International 07 to 10 July Qingdao International Consumer electronics Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Consumer Electronics Convention & Exhibition Show Center, Qingdao, 8 Meditec Clinika 02 to 4 July Palace Grounds Medical Equipment and technology Shandong Bengaluru, Karnataka industry 9 13th China Building & 08 to 12 July China Import & Export Building and decoration industry 9 India ICT Summit & Expo 08 July Mumbai Hotel Information & Communication Technology Decoration Fair Fair Pazhou Complex, InterContinental The Grand, sector Guangzhou Mumbai, Maharashtra

10 India International 12 to 14 July Pragati Maidan Fashion & Apparel Industry 10 ProPak China 13 to 15 July Shanghai New Processing, packaging and end-line Garment Fair New Delhi, Delhi International Expo printing industry Centre (SNIEC), 11 ACCESS - Machine Tools 14 to 17 July Chennai Trade & Convention Machine Tools & Engineering Shanghai & Engineering Expo Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 11 9th Mobilexpo China 20 to 22 July Shanghai New International Mobile Phone Industry 12 The Manufacturing Expo 28 to 29 July Mumbai World Trade Centre Manufacturing Industry International Expo Mumbai, Maharashtra Centre(SNIEC), Shanghai

|60| India-China Chronicle . March-April 2011 March-April 2011 . India-China Chronicle |61| F I L M R E V I E W

them harder than his other students. Thirteen years later, their suffering has paid off. Douzi, now going by the name of Chen Dieyi (Leslie Cheung), and Shitou, called Duan Xiaolou (Zhang Fengyi), are major opera stars, and their production, “Farewell My Concubine” is nationally known. The two are inseparable, until the woman Juxian (Gong Li) Farewell My comes between them. Farewell My Concubine is neatly divided into eight chapters, including a 1977 prologue and epilogue that bookend the story. Each section represents a different era in Chinese history and the lives of the characters. The historical background from the time of the Warlords through the Concubine Cultural Revolution, including the Japanese invasion of 1937 and the Communist takeover, is integral to the plot. The first portion of the film is devoted to the early lives Directed by : Chen Kaige of Dieyi and Xiaolou as they form an unshakable bond under the often-cruel punishments of their master. Years arewell My Concubine literally meaning later, when we meet them again as well-known actors, the “The Hegemon-King Bids Farewell to His Concubine” bond has only strengthened. These two are as close as men is a 1993 Chinese film directed by Chen Kaige. It is can be - yet Dieyi wishes for even greater intimacy. The oneF of the central works of the Fifth Generation movement subject of homosexuality is only once overtly referred to, that brought Chinese film directors to world attention. but its presence is never far from the surface. While Xiaolou Similar to other Fifth Generation films likeTo Live and remains blissfully unaware of the nature of his friend’s The Blue Kite, Farewell My Concubine explores the effect of love, Dieyi is tortured by it. The introduction of Juxian, a China’s political turmoil during the mid-20th century on prostitute who becomes Xiaolou’s companion, creates a the lives of individuals, families, and groups, in this case, two moral dilemma for Dieyi that he is unable to fully resolve. stars in a Peking opera troupe and the woman who comes Chen Kaige has done a fabulous job portraying these various between them. relationships with depth, sensitivity, and realism. This is a The film is an adaptation of the novel by Lilian Lee. real and powerful illustration of human interaction that Lilian Lee is also one of the film’s screenplay writers.Farewell depicts layers of hatred and love. My Concubineremains to date the only Chinese-language Dieyi is the most fascinating character. From the film to win the Cannes Palme d’Or. beginning, his sense of identity is confused. Not only is he Running through the film is the Beijing opera also attracted to men, but his role as a woman in “Farewell My known as Farewell My Concubine. The opera becomes Dieyi Concubine” creates certain ambivalence about his own and Xiaolou’s staple act and scenes from it are performed gender. In childhood, the refrain of “I am a girl” is drilled throughout the film. into him so that he can effectively assume the role of the The events in the film parallel the play. The opera concubine in the opera but, as another character observes, focuses on the loyalty of the concubine Consort Yu (aka the line between reality and acting has become blurred. Yuji) to Xiang Yu, Hegemon-King of Western Chu, after Dieyi has a prostitute for a mother, is raped by an old man, Xiang’s defeat by Liu Bang, founder of the Han Dynasty. and has his best friend stolen from him by a woman. It’s no The transition to Han Dynasty rule parallels the transition wonder that his soul is so tortured. excellent, but no more so than her two co-stars, both of to the People’s Republic of China. The concubine’s fatal Xiaolou has a more straightforward personality, at least whom effectively realize difficult and complex personalities. devotion to her doomed king is echoed by Dieyi’s devotion on the surface. Nevertheless, through his ever-changing For the supporting actors, there’s not a weak performance to to Xiaolou. At one point in the film, Xiaolou snaps to Dieyi, relationships with Dieyi and Juxian, he proves that this be found. “I’m just an actor playing a king. You really are Yuji.” apparent simplicity often hides strong undercurrents. One It’s no wonder that this film was initially banned in Farewell My Concubine spans fifty-three years, presenting of his actions ultimately propels the movie to its literal and China (although the government eventually relented and the lives of two men against the historical backdrop of a emotional climax. there was one showing; more may be forthcoming). The country in upheaval. Initially banned in China but shown Juxian appears to be little more than a scheming whore Communist movement is not shown in a positive light. to international acclaim, Chen Kaige’s film is one of the frantic to capture a wealthy husband but, like everyone While not specifically a force for evil, Communist attitudes true masterpieces. Deserving of its award at Cannes and of else, she is capable of a few surprises, including an entirely- contribute to one of the movie’s most emotionally-shocking its prominent position in 1993’s New York Film Festival, unexpected streak of kindness towards Dieyi, who shows scenes. Those unfamiliar with twentieth-century Chinese Farewell My Concubine is a motion picture experience that her nothing but contempt. Starting out as a wedge between history are in for a crash course. No film can ever hope to few will soon forget after leaving the theater. the two friends, Juxian ends up a crucial element in their convey the complex mosaic of cultural upheaval caused by In 1924 Beijing, the youthful Douzi and Shitou are relationship. everything that happened between 1924 and 1977, but brought together under the thumb of the strict master of a The only member of the cast likely to be known to Farewell My Concubine does an excellent job presenting small acting troupe. It quickly becomes apparent that these (some) viewers is Gong Li, whose credits include Raise samples of the flavour while telling a story that is both epic are the most talented of the master’s pupils, and he pushes the Red Lantern and The Story of Qui Ju. She is, as usual, and intimate. 

|62| India-China Chronicle . March-April 2011 March-April 2011 . India-China Chronicle |63| A Morning Brush with India

or curious passers-by, it was something special happening. translated from Bengali to Chinese by eight professors from The people looked like Yindu-ren“ ,” they were wearing Beijing. Therefore, the short cultural performance that the perhaps their traditional clothes and had a couple of Indian Consulate in Shanghai had organized in front of the Fmicrophones in front of them. Tagore bust on Mao ming Road to commemorate his 150th As a Chinese father explained to his daughter beside birth anniversary served to give the common Chinese people me, looking at the statue behind the Indian gathering, “This a glimpse of Tagore’s works. is Tagore, the great Indian poet and those people are all For the very same occasion, thirty students have also come Indians.” from Tagore International School in New Delhi to perform Tagore’s relationship with China is common knowledge by a dance based on Tagore’s Bhanusingher Padavali along with now. Today, most educated Chinese know about Tagore and students of Jinyuan School, Shanghai. have read his poems. The vast range of Tagore’s works is being In fact I had the good fortune of seeing the Chinese students dance to a Tagore song while on a trip to their school to teach them the details of the dance (the dance had been choreographed and taught to them through video conferencing by teachers of Tagore International School). It was amazing to see the Chinese girls, who danced almost perfectly and would have passed of as Indian if not for the jump-suit school uniforms that they were wearing. It seems that the Indian and Chinese are definitely bridging the gap, in their own small ways. It is done sometimes by singing on a busy street – a rare occurrence on Chinese streets, trademarked only by the fact that there were as many policemen as there were singers – and sometimes by dancing together in immense enjoyment. From these examples it seems that it is best when done through the joint efforts of the government and the common people. The choice is ours – whether to try and bridge the gap in sixty years or do it in sixteen minutes. 

Sumelika Bhattacharyya Chronicle Bureau, Shanghai

March-April 2011 . India-China Chronicle |64|