Building up Closer Cultural Bonds

The Leaves of Mutual Profound Dynamics Learning between India and China

Vol.13 No.1 | January - February 2019

Building Up Closer Cultural Bonds

国内零售价：10 元 / India 100 www.chinaindiadialogue.com 可栽绕已种地塞达树木寒来球罕沙赤坝按半个多世纪，暑地道机往，变林海，荒牢记使命械林三场原成代人的森林覆盖率绿洲。耕耘。 80%

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1 米株距排开，艰苦创业 12 圈。

绿色发展

Saihanba is a cold alpine area in northern Hebei Province bordering the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It was once a barren land but is now home to 75,000 hectares of forest, thanks to the efforts make by generations of forestry workers in the past 55 years. Every year the forest purifies 137 million cubic meters of water and absorbs 747,000 tons of carbon dioxide. The forest produces 12 billion yuan (around US$1.8 billion) of ecological value annually, according to the Chinese Academy of Forestry. 可绕地球赤道栽种树木按已达塞罕坝机械林场的森林覆盖率寒来暑往，沙地变林海，荒原成绿洲。半个多世纪，三代人耕耘。牢记使命 CONTENTS CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE Administrative Agency: 主管： China International 中国外文出版发行事业局 80% CHINDIA NEWS / p.02 Publishing Group （中国国际出版集团） Publisher: 主办、出版： China Pictorial 人民画报社， Address: 地址： 33 Chegongzhuang Xilu, Haidian, 北京市海淀区

1 OPENING ESSAY 米株距排开，艰苦创业 Beijing 100048, China 车公庄西路33号 12 CHINA AND INDIA: TORCHES OF THE EAST 04 圈。 President: Yu Tao 社长：于涛 Editorial Board: 编委会： Yu Tao, Li Xia, 于涛、李霞、 He Peng, Bao Linfu, 贺鹏、鲍林富、 Yu Jia, Yan Ying 于佳、闫颖 Editor-in-Chief: Li Xia 总编辑：李霞

Editorial Directors: 编辑部主任：绿色发展 Wen Zhihong, Qiao Zhenqi 温志宏、乔振祺 English Editor: 英文定稿： Xu Mingqiang 徐明强 Editorial Consultants: 语言顾问： Scott Huntsman, Nathan Bennett 苏格、白浩天 Editors and Translators: 编辑、翻译： Gong Haiying, Hu Zhoumeng, 龚海莹、胡周萌、 Liu Haile, Li Zhuoxi, 刘海乐、李卓希、 Li Yiqi, Mithila Phadke, 李艺琦、弥萨罗、 Wang Shuya, Xu Shuyuan, 王舒雅、许舒园、 Yin Xing, Zhao Yue, Zhou Xin 殷星、赵月、周昕 Editor-Visuals & Photographs: 视觉编辑： Li Zhuoxi 李卓希 Designed by: Alinea Productions 设计：Alinea Productions Remittance to: Publishing and 邮购收款人： Distribution Department, 人民画报社 China Pictorial 出版发行部 Telephone 电话: +86-10-68413849, +86-10-68412166 Learning from Neighbors / p.08 Postal Code 邮编: 100048

Legal Adviser: Yue Cheng 法律顾问：岳成 China-India Cultural Exchanges Printing: 印刷： COMMENT Toppan Leefung Changcheng 北京利丰雅高长城 A New Day of China-India / p.40 Printing (Beijing) Co., Ltd. 印刷有限公司 Relations / p.12 DISCUSSION China-India People-to-People Next-Level China-India Literary Exchanges: Status Quo and Exchange / p.44 Overseas Distribution: China International Book Trading Corporation (Guoji Shudian), Future Trends / p.16 By the Book / p.48 35 Chegongzhuang Xilu, P.O. Box 399, Beijing 100048, China Lasting Bonds / p.19 In China, subscriptions are available at any post office. Subscription and distribution agency in Hong Kong, Macao, DATA and Taiwan: STRATEGY Friendly Exchange: Bridging Hong Kong Peace Book Company, Ltd. 17/F., Paramount Building, 12 Ka Yip Street, Think Tank Exchange: Brain China and India / p.52 Chai Wan, Hong Kong

Food for Cooperation / p.22 China standard periodical number: ISSN 2096-2592 India and China: Profound YOUNG VOICES CN10-1433/D Beyond Borders: China and Mutual Understanding / p.26 Advertising Business License: India’s Enduring Cultural Bonds J.H.G.S. Advertising Business Registration No.20170199 TREND / p.56 Pricing: Profound Dynamics / p.30 ¥10 / India ₹ 100 High Road to India-China COLUMN Partnership / p.33 Possibilities for a Non-Alienated Life / p.60 CASE STUDY VOL.13 NO.1 | JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 The Leaves of Mutual BOOKS Learning between India and Fond Memories on the Campus: Visit China-India Dialogue on the Internet: China / p.36 Stories of Chinese and Indian www.chinaindiadialogue.com Follow us on: Buddhist Caves: Traces of Exchange Students / p.62

Consultants of the China-India Dialogue Advisory Board

Alka Acharya Professor and director of the Institute International Strategic Studies of China Reform Forum Sun Yuxi Former Special Envoy of the Chinese of Chinese Studies, Delhi Ma Weigong Consultant of the National Institute Foreign Ministry on Afghan Affairs and former Hu Shisheng Director of the Institute of South and of Strategic Communication at Peking University Chinese ambassador to India Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies under China and former deputy editor-in-chief of China Radio Tarun Vijay Former member of Parliament and Institutes of Contemporary International Relations International president of Parliamentary Group on India China Li Daokui Economics professor and director of Mukul Sanwal Former Policy Adviser to the Friendship. the Center for China in the World Economy at Executive Director of United Nations Environment T. C. A. Rangachari Former Indian Ambassador to Tsinghua University Programme France and Germany, dealt with India’s relations Lin Minwang Research fellow and Deputy Chief Pravin Sawhney Editor of Force Newsmagazine with China for over 15 years in the Ministry of of the Center of South Asian Studies, the Institute External Affairs of International Studies at Fudan University, Sun Shihai Former director of the Chinese and a research fellow with the Collaborative Association for South Asian Studies and former Yang Yifeng Director of India Broadcast of South Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies at deputy director of the National Institute of Asia Center, China Radio International Nanjing University International Strategy under the Chinese Academy Zhang Wenmu Professor of the Center for Strategic Ma Jiali Deputy Director of the Center for of Social Sciences Studies at Beihang University CHINDIA NEWS

Tourism Revenue of China and India developments along China-India border Leads in Developing Countries in 2018 areas since the last meeting and exchanged in-depth views on boosting On January 16, the World Tourism Conference mutual trust and pushing for early Forum (WTCF) and the Tourism Research harvest consultations. Center of China’s Academy of Social Sciences The two sides agreed to follow the (TRC-CASS) released the Report on World guidance of the consensus reached by the Tourism Economy Trends (2019) in Beijing. leaders of the two countries as well as the In 2018, the tourism revenue of China and mandate of the special representatives of India ranked second and sixth respectively in both countries on the boundary issue, to the world, leading the developing countries. further strengthen communication and According to the report, inbound tourism in coordination in a constructive manner, emerging economies represents nearly half of and step up the building of mutual trust the world’s tourism revenue. In 2018, the total measures so as to jointly maintain peace tourism revenue of emerging economies and tranquility in the accounts for 15.4% of their GDP, and this ratio border areas and is only 4.0% in developed promote the sustained countries. In 2018, the total and sound number of tourism-related development of Sino- trips of BRICS countries Indian relations. accounted for 79.7% of tourist travel in emerging economies. The Chinese Department of Jawaharlal Nehru University of India Celebrated Chinese New Year On February 18th, the Chinese Department of Jawaharlal Nehru University of India celebrated Chinese New Year. The 13th Meeting of the Working Nearly 100 people, including Chintamani Mechanism for Consultation and Mahapatra, professor and Rector-I/ Coordination on China-India Border Transparency Officer, and B. R. Deepak, professor and Director of the Chinese Affairs Held Department, as well as teachers and The 13th meeting of the Working students from the department and some Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination Chinese students, attended the celebration. on China-India Border Affairs was held in During the activity, Indian students New Delhi on January 29 and 30. gave performances in The Chinese delegation was led by Yi Chinese, including part of Xianliang, director general of the department A Madman’s Diary and of boundary and oceanic affairs in the the Chinese version of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the the Bollywood classic Indian delegation was led by Pranay Verma, Sholay. The students the joint secretary (East Asia) in the Indian also sang Chinese songs Ministry of External Affairs. and performed Chinese The two sides reviewed situational dances.

02 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Chinese Spokesman Answered Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Met Question on the Attack in with External Affairs Minister Sushma Indian-Controlled Kashmir Swaraj of India On February 19, the spokesperson of On February 27, Chinese State Councilor and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Geng Shuang, answered a question Sergei Lavrov and Indian External Affairs Minister related to the attack at Indian- Sushma Swaraj held the 16th meeting of the foreign controlled Kashmir. Geng said that ministers of China, Russia and India in Wuzhen in “Pakistan and India are both important eastern China’s Zhejiang Province. After the meeting, countries in South Asia. A stable the three countries released a joint communiqué. Pakistan-India relationship is crucial to Wang Yi met his Indian counterpart the same day. regional peace, stability and Wang Yi expressed that the Chinese side has always development. The situation in South highly prioritized China-India relations in its Asia is generally stable, which is hard- diplomacy with neighboring countries. Last year, won and should be cherished and President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra upheld by relevant parties. China hopes Modi successfully held an informal meeting in that Pakistan and India can exercise Wuhan, ushering China-India relations into a new restraint, engage in dialogue and realize stage of mature and stable development. Cooperation an early ‘soft landing’ of this issue.” between the two countries in various fields has been carried out smoothly, and the expectations of all sectors of society and the international community on China-India relations have become more active. In the new year, both sides should carefully implement the NASA: Thanks to China and important consensus of the leaders, prepare for high- India, the Earth is Greener level exchanges between the two countries, plan commemorative activities for the 70th anniversary of than Two Decades Ago the establishment of diplomatic relations, explore A recent survey by the National in-depth the potential for practical cooperation, create Aeronautics and Space Administration highlights for people-to-people and cultural (NASA) shows that over the past 20 exchanges, and properly manage differences in the years, more than two million square meantime so as to promote China-India relations for miles (about 518 million hectares) of stable and long-term development. vegetation have appeared on the Sushma Swaraj said that Prime Minister surface of the Earth, equivalent to an Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping held an Amazon rainforest. One third of the informal meeting in Wuhan last year, which increase in vegetation area is promoted bilateral relations to realize rapid attributed to China and India—owing development. The two sides should work together to China’s afforestation project and to well implement the important consensus reached the agricultural management of both by leaders of the two countries, strengthen strategic two countries. communication, deepen practical operation, Since 2000, the area of arable land enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, in China and India (around two well plan the commemorative activities for the 70th million square kilometers) has not anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic changed much. But the two relations between the two countries next year, and countries greatly increased the jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border coverage of vegetation while areas in a bid to promote the stable and forward- ensuring grain production. looking development of India-China relations.

03 OPENING ESSAY

China and India: Torches of the East

By Luo Zhaohui

The tide of China-India cultural exchange seems unstoppable. Further infrastructure connectivity has facilitated a heavier flow of interaction between China and India, and even the seemingly insurmountable Himalayas can do little to impede passionate exchange between the two Asian neighbors.

his winter, the Swaraj, the first meeting of between China and India. temperature in New the China-India high-level First, the meeting was a Delhi dropped to a people-to-people and cultural high-level event. The estab- record low of recent exchange mechanism was held lishment of the China-India Tyears. However, the chilly in New Delhi in December high-level people-to-peo- weather did little to inhibit 2018. As the most recent diplo- ple and cultural exchange the heating up of China-India matic event to implement the mechanism was an import- cultural exchange. Co-chaired consensus reached by Chinese ant consensus reached by by Chinese State Councilor and Indian leaders during Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang their Wuhan informal meeting and Indian Prime Minister Yi and Indian External in 2018, this meeting stirred Narendra Modi during their Affairs Minister Sushma a wave of cultural exchange meeting in Wuhan, and both

04 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE leaders sent congratula- tory letters to the meeting. Alongside State Councilor Wang Yi, seven Chinese vice ministers from ministries of culture, tourism, education and other affairs attended the meeting and conducted in-depth communication with their Indian counterparts. Second, the meeting included a multitude of activities. The two sides organized eight fruitful sub-events involving _ think tanks, the media, December 21, 2018: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj co-chair the museums, language and first meeting of the China-India high-level people-to-people exchanges culture, a vocational educa- mechanism in New Delhi, India. VCG tion cooperation forum, a photography exhibition, a film week, and a book importance of people-to-peo- legacy of historical exchange release, among others. ple exchanges, and accelerates and preserving the general Third, the meeting achieved comprehensive development trend of communication fruitful outcomes. The two of China-India relations. between different civiliza- sides agreed to focus on “ten tions as they move toward the pillars” and “eight priorities” HISTORY AND REALITY “Asian Century.” to increase people-to-peo- Historically, China and India The Xi-Modi meeting in ple and cultural exchanges. led the world economy for a Wuhan laid a solid political Universities and media orga- long time. British economist foundation for people-to- nizations of the two nations Angus Maddison wrote in his people and cultural exchange reached five cooperation book The World Economy that between China and India. Last agreements. Two Indian the combined GDP of China April during their meeting colleges agreed to set up and India accounted for half of in Wuhan, President Xi and Chinese language teaching the global total for 1,600 years Prime Minister Modi visited centers and two vocational during the last 3,000 years. an exhibition of cultural relics education centers. Moreover, China and India at Hubei Provincial Museum, Fourth, the meeting exerted continue to represent two enjoyed a performance of far-reaching influence. The major ancient civilizations of chime bells, and conducted establishment of a high-level the East. The two nations learn in-depth discussions on people-to-people and cultural from each other as they make mutual learning between exchange mechanism was remarkable contributions to the two nations with ancient unprecedented in the history human progress. The first civilizations. The Wuhan of China-India relations and meeting of the China-India summit moved China-India represented an innovation high-level people-to-people relations into the “fast lane.” that conformed to the will and cultural exchange mech- Subsequently, the two leaders of the general public of both anism was a huge success. met three times on multi- countries. The mechanism Standing at a new historic lateral occasions, and three helps stimulate interest in starting point and eyeing Chinese state councilors cooperation between govern- further development of bilat- visited India. In 2018, bilateral ment departments of the eral relations, the two nations trade volume reached a record two nations, enhances the are inheriting a profound high of US$95.5 billion, and

05 OPENING ESSAY nearly 1,000 Chinese companies operating in India created more than 100,000 jobs. The positive trend in China- India relations bolstered the success of the first meeting of the high-level people-to- people and cultural exchange mechanism. An eon of mutual learning between Chinese and Indian civilizations has invigorated cultural exchange between the two nations. Through _ peaceful coexistence and December 13, 2018: Indian guests perform a dragon dance at the collective communication that tran- wedding for two pairs of Indian couples in Kunming, capital of Yunnan scends the limits of time Province. In recent years, Yunnan has attracted more people from South and space, Chinese and Asian countries including India to travel and work in the province. VCG Indian people have created brilliant cultures and set a pristine example in the evidence mutual learning educator Tan Yunshan. Their history of cultural exchange. and interaction between efforts enabled the emergence The origin of China-India the two nations along the of Indian studies in China cultural exchange can be ancient Silk Road. Both and Chinese studies in India, traced back more than Eastern civilizations, China which have since been further 2,000 years. During his and India have always expanded. Chinese transla- expeditions to the western learned from each other tor Xu Fancheng spent 33 regions, Zhang Qian, an and are inclusive in nature. years in India translating the envoy of the Han Dynasty Both nations attach great Sanskrit scripture Bhagavad (202 BC – AD 220), kept importance to ethics, moral- Gita. During the Chinese records on Shu cloth and ity and self-improvement People’s War of Resistance bamboo sticks imported and advocate harmonious against Japanese Aggression, from India. Originating in coexistence between man India sent a medical team to India, Buddhism thrived in and nature, peace, benevo- assist China. Indian physi- China. Eminent monks such lence and familial kinship, cian Dwarkanath Kotnis even as Faxian, Xuanzang and demonstrating the charm of sacrificed his life during the Bodhidharma made long, ancient Eastern philosophy. medical mission to China. arduous journeys to spread In modern times, the two After the founding of the Buddhist culture between countries have furthered People’s Republic of China China and India. During their interactions. Chinese in 1949, India became the his seven voyages, Chinese revolutionaries like Dr. Sun first non-socialist country to explorer Zheng He visited Yat-sen voiced support for establish diplomatic relations India six times. China’s the Indian independence with China. Chinese Premier papermaking, silk, porcelain movement. Famous Indian Zhou Enlai and Indian and tea were introduced poet Rabindranath Tagore Prime Minister Jawaharlal to India, and Indian songs visited China twice, estab- Nehru jointly developed the and dances, astronomy, lished the Cheena Bhavan Five Principles of Peaceful architecture, perfumes and (China College) at India’s Coexistence, which have other items were exported Visva-Bharati University, and made great contributions to China. Surviving arti- called for spreading Eastern to the construction of the facts from these activities philosophy alongside Chinese new international order.

06 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

“Hindi-Cheeni bhai-bhai” earned in India. Chinese food, meeting, accelerate negoti- (“Indians and Chinese are acupuncture, martial arts and ations on seven cooperation brothers” in Hindi) became a movie stars are also popular agreements in fields like catchphrase that has inspired among Indians. Currently, more culture, sports and museum generations of young people than 14 sister city and prov- management, and improve the to commit to consolidating ince relationships have been high-level people-to-people China-India friendship. Even established between China and and cultural exchange mech- when political relations saw India, and more than 20,000 anism to accumulate more setbacks, cultural exchange Indian students are studying consensus and outcomes for and interaction between in China. Annual mutual visits the second meeting. the two nations continued between the two countries have Second, the two countries unabated. exceeded a million. China’s need to focus on priority work. People-to-people and Yunnan Minzu University is the With the “ten pillars” and cultural exchanges between only university outside of India “eight priorities” designated China and India conform to to offer a master’s degree in by both sides in mind, we need the general trend of exchange yoga. The two nations’ curiosity to establish culture centers in between different civilizations toward each other is enhanced each other’s countries and join around the world and meet through broader interactions, hands to produce films and the practical needs of the two which further stimulates organize activities to achieve peoples. Since the turn of the cultural exchange between the sustainable cultural exchange. 21st century, economic global- two nations. Third, the two countries ization, social informatization need to formulate medium- and cultural diversification PROMISING PROSPECTS and long-term plans to create have prevailed. In this context, It is easy to sail when the a new cultural exchange the world is increasingly sea is smooth. China and India framework featuring both flat, and various cultures are have a combined population governmental and non-gov- clashing and integrating with of 2.7 billion, accounting for ernmental cooperation and each other. In a century of 40 percent of the global total, extensive participation to shared civilization, building and contribute 20 percent ensure that cultural exchange a community with a shared of the world’s total GDP. is “rooted in the people and future for humanity should be a Promising prospects for benefiting the people.” common aspiration for people cultural exchange between As two ancient civilizations of all countries. People-to- the two nations have emerged that form their own yin and people and cultural exchanges across the board. The first yang, China and India have have become unstoppable meeting of the China-India carried out diverse and color- trends advancing faster and high-level people-to-people ful cultural exchange for ages. faster. Further infrastructure and cultural exchange mech- I believe that the two nations connectivity has facilitated anism marked a good start. will certainly achieve more wider interaction between Seizing the opportunity, China extensive exchange, friendly China and India, and even the and India need to leverage cooperation and harmonious seemingly insurmountable the mechanism as a platform coexistence and make greater Himalayas can no longer block to implement the consensus contributions to world pros- passionate exchanges between reached by leaders of the perity and stability as long as the two Asian neighbors. two countries and mobilize they continue to learn from Yoga, Darjeeling black tea and people from all walks of life each other and respect each Bollywood films have gained to commit to the great cause other’s culture. popularity among Chinese of strengthening long-term young people. The Indian China-India friendship. movie Dangal grossed an aston- First, the two countries ishing US$190 million in China, need to take concrete actions The author is the Chinese Ambassador about twice the revenue it to implement outcomes of the to India.

07 OPENING ESSAY

Learning from Neighbors

By B. R. Deepak

Both China and India need to establish new mechanisms for dialogue while improving or replacing the old.

he first-ever India- meeting marked a rebalancing introduction of technologies China High-level of India-China relations after such as sugar making, paper Mechanism on a 73-day military standoff at making, steel smelting, silk, Cultural and People- Donglang (Doklam). porcelain and tea from China to-PeopleT Exchanges was Why is such a mechanism at to India and other countries, launched on December the highest level necessary? At trade and communication 21, 2018 in New Delhi by first, it was to promote unhin- between China and India have Foreign Minister Sushma dered circulation of ideas, enriched knowledge systems Swaraj and her counterpart technology, objects and people around the world. Moreover, State Councilor Wang Yi. This that enriched the Indian these developments were mechanism is the product of and Chinese civilizations. possible because of the unim- the “Wuhan Spirit” and the From the birth of Chinese peded flow of people. The consensus reached between Buddhism and the dissem- translation industry, for exam- Prime Minister Narendra Modi ination of ancient Indian ple, was created in China but and Chinese President Xi and Central Asian astron- involved people from India Jinping during the unofficial omy, literature, music and and many Central Asian states. Wuhan meeting in April. The languages into China to the Hundreds of Chinese scholar

08 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE monks gave it support. language programs, of which have been able to enroll in First and most importantly, most are only a minor certifi- Chinese universities for vari- these people were responsible cate, including Delhi University ous programs. The number for creating the entire repos- where such courses started in may increase significantly itory of Buddhist literature 1964. Comparing the situation if Indian universities or in China and Northeast Asia, of Chinese learning in the U.S., educational institutes start which preserved many sutras as many as 227,086 students collaborating with Chinese that were lost in India. Another were enrolled in Chinese universities in building fact that most Chinese may language courses ranging capacity in their respective not realize is that Buddhist from kindergarten to grade 12, languages. About 800 Indian and Sanskrit vocabulary have according to the National K-12 universities and 150 think enriched the Chinese language Foreign Language Enrollment tanks have signed MoUs by adding at least 35, 000 terms. Survey Report of 2017. It is or agreements with their The core of these exchanges projected that the number will Chinese counterparts. The has been ‘mutual learning rise to one million by the year biggest hurdle, in my opin- of civilizations’ rather than 2020. These numbers, however, ion, is lack of recognition of Huntington’s thesis of the ‘clash do not include college and degrees from each other’s of civilizations.’ Such infor- university students and could country. Other bottlenecks mation has been reiterated by reach three hundred thousand. include living accommo- Indian and Chinese leadership Although Chinese univer- dations and acceptance recently, and the ‘Silk Road sities offering programs of various schools’ credit Spirit’ of peace and coopera- on Hindi have increased systems. The removal of such tion, openness and inclusivity, to about 16, that number bottlenecks would increase mutual learning and mutual remains paltry considering the flow of students and the benefit advocated by President the large populations of India number of joint researches Xi Jinping accurately illustrates and China. Furthermore, and seminars between the the point. Presently, a yearly student exchange between two countries while at the flow of one million people India and China is highly same time enhancing mutual between India and China asymmetrical. Indian understanding. brings exchange to new heights, students studying in the Thirdly, bonding between especially in the fields of trade, Chinese universities (around researchers and the publishing tourism and education. 20,000) are mostly in the industry is an area that has not Secondly, Chinese and Indian field of medicine, whereas received adequate focus. Not studies of each other’s countries the presence of Chinese many books from China and need to be enhanced, encour- students in Indian univer- vice versa are translated and aged and strengthened to sities is miniscule (2,000). disseminated in each other’s expand the capacity of govern- Jawaharlal Nehru University, countries. Remember—trans- ment and private sectors in one of the premier insti- lators from India, China and promoting better understand- tutes in the country, has Central Asian countries built ing. A telling figure might be the never had more than 25 a huge repository of Buddhist number of China experts India Chinese students at a time. literature in China and were has produced since its indepen- The number of students on responsible for changing the dence: Some measures were official cultural exchange entire socio-cultural land- taken in the wake of the border programs between the scape of East Asia in ancient conflict, and a decade back two is ridiculously few—it times. I believe that there in 2009 an act of Parliament increased from 12 during the was a specific movement and intending to establish new 1990s to a present 25! Thanks that a similar movement is central universities was passed, to scholarships offered by required to make our contem- but still only around 20 univer- the Confucius Institute, porary relationship strong and sities in India offer Chinese almost 500 Indian students benevolent. A memorandum

09 OPENING ESSAY on mutual translation of are finally reaping some fruit, to building better bonding classics and contemporary and both Indian and Chinese would involve expanding the works was signed between publishers are waking up to establishment of sister munic- India and China in 2013, a wide variety of writings ipalities, cities, and provinces. which I am coordinating, is coming across the Himalayas. Today, only 14 sister cities a good example. The memo- A connection between the agreements have been signed randum envisages translation publishing industries of both for places in India and China of 25 representative Chinese countries offers an excellent and seven more are likely to books and authors into Hindi dialogue mechanism, which be signed soon, as compared and vice-versa. The works will have a huge impact on with the 214 agreements on include Confucian Classics either side. The industry friendly states and sister cities of Four Books, Journey to the brings together intellectuals signed between the U.S. and West, The Romance of Three and think tanks from both China. India and China share Kingdoms, Dream of the Red sides. It not only broadens the cultural heritage such as fres- Mansion, The Scholars and the scope of the people-to-people coes and rock-hewn Buddhist works of modern and contem- exchange, but also creates iconography of Ajanta and porary writers such as Ba Jin, consciousness for long-term Ellora with Mogao, Yungang, Mao Dun, Lao She, Moyan, understanding and friendship Longmen, Dazu found in Jia Pingwa and A Lai. It is between the two peoples. China. Buddhism presents indeed heartening that my Fourthly, tourism and huge scope for cooperation. Hindi translations of Analects, pilgrimages will renew the For example, a Buddhist corri- Mencius, Great Learning and bonding and nostalgia that dor could be established and The Mean are finally available historically existed between further connected to other to Indian readers—the first the civilizations. These South Asian countries such as time in recorded history of pilgrimages and journeys Nepal and Sri Lanka. These two millennia of exchanges enabled the spiritual and measures would be conducive between India and China. material civilizations of Asia to building a solid foundation Through building small and elsewhere to benefit for connectivity, trade and bridges between the Indian immensely from each other. commerce, and, above all, and Chinese publishers, we A multilayered approach robust bilateral relations. Because both India and China are members of many multilateral forums such as BRICS and the SCO, they have already joined in many important people-to-people exchange mechanisms. For example, a comprehensive Action Plan for the Implementation of the Agreement Between the Governments of the BRICS States on Cooperation in the Field of Culture (2017- 2021) was signed in 2017. The action plan envisages establishment of a BRICS alliance on art museums, national galleries, libraries, media _ June 20, 2018: Nathu La Pass in Tibet welcomes 38 official pilgrims from and publishing industry. The India, the first group in this year. by Liu Dongjun/Xinhua plan encourages international

10 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

_ January 1, 2019: Students from India and Sri Lanka take part in sampling the quality of agricultural products at awholesale market for agricultural products in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. VCG cultural and art festivals, both sides should improve ocean travel, river water, joint programs on archaeo- understanding. cybersecurity, counter-ter- logical research, cooperation Finally, people-to-people rorism and various other across creative and commer- dialogue must be accom- non-traditional security cial sectors including panied by resolution of domains. Considering the performing arts, visual arts, thorny issues which include environment, both need to audiovisual, music, gastron- abandoning the Cold War establish new dialogue mech- omy, fashion, literature, mentality and avoiding anisms while reinforcing or yoga, animation and games, zero-sum games. Both must replacing the old. Both must new media, cultural and negotiate mutual, equal and agree that the India-China creative merchandise devel- sustainable security as envis- relationship is one of the opment and training people aged in some confidence most important relationships to become involved in these building mechanisms. Both in shaping the future interna- fields. The plan is ambitious, India and China need to be tional order. and similar action plans mindful of the fact that the need to be implemented at a bilateral security boundary is bilateral level. The increased not just limited to the border The author is a professor of the Centre for presence of media personnel issue but has sprawled into China and Southeast Asian Studies, Jawa- and objective reporting by various other fields such as harlal Nehru University of India.

11 COMMENT

A New Day of China-India Relations

By Lan Jianxue

Only if the two sides maintain trust instead of suspicion and manage their differences through dialogue can they create a brighter future through cooperation.

s the two most China and India are an The “closer partnership renowned ancient important and positive factor for development” between civilizations in for world stability. China and India is now the East and The leaders of the two moving forward steadily, theA two largest developing countries met four times in but that is not enough. countries and emerging 2018, effectively promoting The two countries should markets, not to mention a “closer partnership for also commit to building a the only two countries with development” between China higher-level strategic and populations of more than a and India and significantly cooperative partnership. As billion each, China and India enhancing strategic mutual Prime Minister Modi said, have become two important trust. Chinese President Xi “To describe the potential forces in promoting global Jinping and Indian Prime of India-China ties most multi-polarity and driving Minister Narendra Modi held succinctly, it’s an INCH Asia’s economic growth in an informal meeting in Wuhan (India and China) towards the 21st century. in April 2018, which ended up MILES (Millennium of The global environment is as a major event in the history Exceptional Energy).” now undergoing profound of China-India relations. The changes, the international two leaders conversed with CORE OBSTACLES order is becoming more each other for a long time, First, political consensuses balanced and the trend of conducted in-depth strate- have yet to become political peaceful development has gic communication, made realities. During their meeting become irreversible, but major political decisions, and in Wuhan, President Xi and instability and uncertainty created a new mode of high- Prime Minister Modi reached persist. Peaceful, stable and level communication between important consensuses. balanced relations between China and India. For example, China-India

12 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

_ August 23, 2018: Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman holds a welcome ceremony for visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe (right, front) before their meeting in New Delhi, India. VCG cooperation outweighs the part of bilateral relations. employ different economic differences between them, as In the wake of the meet- structures that complement the two countries are neigh- ing, relevant authorities of each other in terms of soft- bors, friends, and partners. the two countries should ware and hardware. As of Development of the two resolutely make the leaders’ November 2018, China was countries is a necessity and political consensus a reality. India’s third largest export presents reciprocal import- The relationship between destination and largest import ant opportunities for both. It China and India is full of source. According to Indian would be vain to hope to curb hope and forward momen- Business Information Agency the national revival of either tum. Only if the two sides statistics, from January to China or India—instead, our maintain trust over suspicion November 2018, bilateral two countries should promote and manage their differences trade volume between China wide-ranging cooperation, through dialogue will they be and India totaled US$83.26 build a closer partnership able to create a bright future billion, up 8.5 percent. India’s based on the principles of through cooperation. export volume to China equality, mutual benefits and Second, the potential for was US$15.04 billion, up sustainable development, and economic and trade invest- 31.8 percent, and the figure properly handle the differ- ment needs to be further accounted for 5.1 percent ences by managing them as tapped. China and India of India’s total exports,

13 COMMENT increasing by 0.9 percentage points year-on-year. Meanwhile, the Indian import volume from China was US$68.22 billion, up 4.4 percent, and the figure accounted for 14.5 percent of India’s total imports, drop- ping by 1.5 percentage points year-on-year. As for two-way investment, by the end of March 2018, India had invested in a total of 1,636 projects in China, amounting to US$861 million. China’s non-financial direct investment stock to India was _ US$3.46 billion. Clearly the potential for economic and September 18, 2018: An exhibitor showcases unique Indian travel programs at the first India Tourism Mart in New Delhi, India. Through the three- trade investment cooperation day event, India’s tourism authority aimed to promote its quality tourism between China and India has resources to the world. by Zhang Naijie/Xinhua yet to be fully tapped considering the economic size of the two countries. India should of information and commu- of both countries are aware of further expand its exports of nication technology, a huge this and have agreed to estab- goods and services to China, cognitive gap persists between lish a mechanism to advance and China should further Chinese and Indian peoples people-to-people exchange. facilitate the process of invest- today. For instance, before Fourth, third-party factors ment in India. visiting India, many Chinese and historical issues are Third, the foundation for tourists worried that they sabotaging bilateral relations. people-to-people exchange wouldn’t like Indian cuisine, The intrinsic value of China- is weak. Considering that that the drinking water would India relations makes the China and India are ancient be contaminated or that their development independent of countries with great civiliza- personal security would third-party factors. However, tions, the written history of be at risk. Similarly, before third-party factors such as the China-India communication departing to China, first-time United States and Pakistan spans more than 2,000 years. visitors from India often have at times impacted The introduction of Indian worried whether they could relations between the two songs and dances, astronomy, access the internet and travel countries. For example, when calendar, literature, architec- without limitations in China. India falls into conflict with ture and sugar manufacturing Today, most reports on China Pakistan over the Kashmir technology—just name a few— from India’s mainstream dispute and “cross-border to China and the introduction English media outlets remain terrorist attacks,” the Indian of Chinese papermaking, silk, gloomy and pessimistic, with media tend to blame China. porcelain, tea and music to ongoing extensive bilateral Meanwhile, the Chinese India preserve evidence of cooperation ignored. media usually overstates the a lengthy history of mutual Misunderstandings, rumors, United States’ influence on exchange and mutual learning and even hostility will melt India’s policymaking, is a between the two peoples since only when the two peoples little bit too sensitive about ancient times. get to know each other better. reporting on interactions Unfortunately, in an era Fortunately, the top leaders between the United States and

14 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

India, and lacks confidence in to broaden the bilateral trade cultures for the world. We India’s “strategic autonomy.” relationship. The year 2018 can create equal, two-way, Other historical issues such as marked the 40th anniversary and mutually beneficial the boundary question and the of China’s reform and opening cultural exchange and build Dalai problem still sour bilat- up. Over the past 40 years, a stable and reliable relation- eral relations from time to Chinese experience can be ship of strategic mutual trust time and hamper the upgrad- summarized as: “Becoming based on profound people- ing of strategic mutual trust open and inclusive leads to to-people exchange. between the two countries. national long-term prosper- Fourth, eliminate negative ity.” Sometimes, everything impact from third-party MINIMIZING THE TRUST DEFICIT falls into place when minds factors by remaining strate- First and foremost, are broadened. Freeing the gically determined. Facing unswervingly adhere to the mind can be a huge productiv- a rapidly evolving and consensus that China and ity booster. complex domestic and inter- India are partners presenting Third, solidify the foun- national situation, China and development opportunities dation for friendly public India must stay strategically for each other. Disagreements opinion through closer focused. We should not let between neighbors are inev- people-to-people exchange. short-term ups and downs itable, but they can always Our two countries have had cause tunnel vision. Both be resolved through peaceful rich material and spiritual China and India have firmly consultation. At the same legacies fueled by people- adhered to the policy of time, we cannot just focus on to-people exchange for independence and peaceful differences while neglecting thousands of years. The development and cherish friendship and cooperation, China-India relationship is their strategic autonomy. and we must not leave our a historic model for commu- India enjoys great prestige in countries’ revival and the nication and mutual learning the Non-Aligned Movement, overall situation of bilateral between civilizations. Even has a strong independent relations vulnerable to third- during periods of setbacks national character, and party interference. As two in political relations, people- upholds its own values ancient civilizations, China to-people exchange and and principles in foreign and India should maintain non-governmental exchange exchange without follow- strategic communication between China and India have ing others blindly. These and explore ways to increase never been interrupted. China national characteristics are friendship across the conti- and India are fundamental greatly appreciated by the nent. The belief that China pillars of Oriental multicul- Chinese people and form an and India are natural part- turalism, which highlights important cornerstone for ners needs to be widespread experience and intuition with India to build its place in a throughout the general public focus on long-term perspec- multi-polar world. of both countries in addition tives, comprehensiveness, Those who attempt to lever- to leadership. ethics and morality, self-ex- age India as a pawn for their Second, make good use of amination and self-reflection, own interests should recall economic complementarities and harmony between nature carefully the magnificent between the two countries and humanity. People across history of the Indian people’s and expand common inter- Asia uphold peace and love indomitable struggle for ests. We should improve and cherish “harmony with national independence. market access to each other, differences” and “strength in promote trade liberalization diversity,” among other values. and investment facilitation, China and India are fully and sign trade agreements to capable of cooperating The author is deputy director of the promote free trade. We also to optimize the charm of Department for Asia-Pacific Studies, China need to emancipate our minds Oriental civilizations and Institute of International Studies.

15 COMMENT

China-India People-to- People Exchanges: Status Quo and Future Trends

By Luo Shaoqin

As a communication conduit between China and India in the field of ‘low’ politics, cultural and people-to-people exchanges are easier to develop than political and security cooperation.

ince the Modi govern- at the ninth BRICS Summit of bilateral communication ment came into power in Xiamen and held an infor- have been constantly broad- in 2014, China-India mal meeting in Wuhan. In ened. In September 2014, relations have gone the process, cultural and when Chinese President Xi throughS many ups and downs. people-to-people exchanges Jinping paid his first visit India was first apathetic about have played an increasingly to India, China and India the China-proposed Belt and important role in deepening published a joint statement Road Initiative, and then China-India relations, and on building a closer develop- fell into disagreement with have become the fastest-grow- ment partnership, according China over its attempt to join ing realm for cooperation to which both countries the Nuclear Suppliers Group between the two countries. launched a cultural exchange (NSG) and blacklist Pakistan- program aiming to promote based Jaish-e-Mohammed FOUR MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS communication in fields like chief as a “global terrorist” OF PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE tourism, youth exchange by the UN Security Council. EXCHANGES and museum exchange, The border standoff in the So far, cultural and people- establish a ministerial-level Dong Lang (Doklam) area and to-people exchanges between consultation mechanism for the Dalai Lama’s visit to the China and India have formed cultural exchange, perform so-called “Arunachal Pradesh” a relatively complete frame- mutual translation of classics made bilateral relations drop work, showing the following and contemporary works, to a record low in recent special characteristics: exchange movies, broadcast- years. However, their frosty First, the scope of bilateral ing programs and television relationship thawed after the exchange has increasingly shows, and teach Indian leaders of both countries met expanded, and the topics languages in China and

16 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Chinese language in India. people-to-people exchanges of BRICS, a number of multi- Subsequently, communication between China and India and lateral people-to-people in media, healthcare and other outline plans for future devel- communication platforms such realms further broadened opment. As Chinese Foreign as the BRICS Youth Forum, the cultural and people-to-people Minister Wang Yi said at the BRICS Wellness Workshop, exchanges between the two meeting, the mechanism is the BRICS Legal Forum, the countries. expected to play a guiding BRICS Urbanization Forum, Second, cultural and role in cultural and people- and the BRICS Academic people-to-people exchanges to-people exchanges between Forum have enabled China and between China and India are China and India, urge the two India to carry out cultural and increasingly institutionalized. sides to mobilize all kinds of people-to-people exchanges in The establishment of such resources and give full play to wide-ranging areas. mechanisms as the China- their respective advantages, India Think Tank Forum, the and push cultural and people- OPPORTUNITIES AND China-India Forum on Local to-people exchanges between CHALLENGES Cooperation, the China-India both countries to achieve new Thanks to the continual University Leaders Forum, the breakthroughs and develop- improvement of bilateral China-India Media Forum, ments in this new historic era. relations and the efforts of and the China-India Forum Finally, cultural and both governments in promot- has regularized the conduits people-to-people exchanges ing dialogues, cultural and for cultural and people-to- between China and India are people-to-people exchanges people exchanges between increasingly integrated into between China and India both countries, and to some multilateral mechanisms. With have improved in both qual- extent guaranteed their stabil- the increased interactions ity and quantity, and shown ity and further development. between China and India in intentionality. However, some Third, after years of effort, those multilateral mecha- challenges still lie ahead. China and India have formed nisms such as BRICS summits, First, mutual personnel visits an organic framework of the Shanghai Cooperation remain negligible, consid- cultural and people-to-people Organization (SCO) and ering the massive combined exchanges, in which top lead- China-India-Russia trilateral population of both countries, ers guide the overall direction, mechanisms, multilateral and the two peoples still lack specific departments take the cultural and people-to-people mutual understanding and a responsibility for coordination, exchanges have also developed strong willingness to commu- various mechanisms provide rapidly. Under the framework nicate with each other. In 2017, institutional guarantees, business enterprises play a leading role, and people from all walks of life participate. Co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the first meeting of the China-India high-level people-to-people exchanges mechanism was held in New Delhi on December 21, 2018. It was not only to implement the _ consensus reached during the January 10, 2019: Indian medical students, who work as interns at a local informal summit in Wuhan, hospital, experience traditional Chinese folk customs such as papercutting at but also to review cultural and Dagang Community in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province. VCG

17 COMMENT only a million mutual visits Fourth, Chinese and Indian In the Wuhan consensus were made, and the number think tanks pay insufficient reached by the leaders of of Chinese travelers to India attention to researching both countries in 2018, was less than 200,000, about on each other’s countries cultural and people-to-people one-fourth of Indians visit- and conducting exchanges exchanges occupied a large ing China that year. As early between the two countries. proportion, showing that top as 2016, a total of 500,000 Only a few scholars are will- leaders of China and India Chinese tourists visited ing to engage in the relevant attach great importance to Myanmar. This demonstrated academic research and field such exchanges. The consen- that outbound Chinese tourists surveys. After the first China- sus on building a China-India show little interest in India. India Think Tank Forum high-level people-to-peo- Second, over a long time, the opened on December 11, 2016, ple exchange mechanism population of Chinese in India think tank exchange between had been implemented by and that of Indians in China the two countries boomed, December of that year. This have been extremely limited, which enhanced mutual demonstrates the strong so in the two countries there understanding between willingness of both coun- are few who have insight into Chinese and Indian schol- tries to promote cultural and each other’s customs, folklore ars. However, the number of people-to-people exchanges. and culture. Consequently, scholars with deep insight As a communication conduit the two peoples cannot into each other’s countries between China and India understand each other’s ratio- remains negligible. in the field of ‘low’ politics, nale for action, resulting in Fifth, due to their victim cultural and people-to-peo- misunderstandings in bilat- mentality and great power ple exchanges are easier to eral interactions. In 2017, the sentiment, the negative recog- advance than political and number of Indian students in nition of Indians on China is security cooperation. China reached 20,000, but the likely to increase. Even in 2016 Moreover, as two neighbors number of Chinese students when the two countries saw separated by the Himalayas, in India was only about 2,000. close high-level interactions, as China and India are both Partly because of India’s I searched the 15 most popular major countries in Asia. In the strict visa policies, only a few English books on China via future, cooperation between Chinese have obtained Indian Amazon India, I found that the two countries in domestic work permits. three of them were different development and regional Third, media outlets of English versions of The Art of and international affairs will both countries, especially War (an ancient Chinese mili- become more frequent. This those of India, are eager to tary treatise by Sun Zi), three will, to some extent, deepen report negative news about about the 1962 Sino-Indian mutual understanding and each other’s countries for border conflict, four about promote bilateral cultural the purpose of winning China-India competition in exchange. More importantly, fierce market competition. the 21st century, two about as two ancient civilizations, Sometimes they even resort Chinese internet giant Alibaba China and India have learned to fake news, which distorts and its founder Jack Ma, one from each other over the the public’s awareness of each about China-Pakistan rela- past more than 2,000 years, other’s countries. Of 3,030 tions, and the final two were and left countless literary reports published by China’s polemical. This carries a clear and artistic masterpieces major online news portals implication for the Indian that provide fertile soil for on the border standoff in the public’s feelings about China. continuing their millen- Dong Lang area from June Despite so many challenges, nia-old friendship. 26 to July 25, 2017, about 15 there are also plentiful oppor- percent aimed to rebuke the tunities for cultural and Indian media’s false reporting people-to-people exchanges The author is a Ph.D. candidate at Renmin on this incident. between China and India. University of China.

18 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Lasting Bonds

By Sreemati Chakrabarti

Relations built through cultural contact tend to be more solid and benefit not only India and China but the entire global community.

nternational relations Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the Chinese government, a and interactions among a great admirer of Chinese center for Chinese language countries today are culture and civilization, has and cultural studies was primarily focused on been credited for a commend- established. Named ‘Cheena geopoliticalI considerations. able effort to revive cultural Bhavan,’ it eventually became This began with the emergence links between India and a university department where of nation-states in Europe China—links that had tightly teaching and research on which were characterized by bound the two civilizations in Chinese language, literature fixed borders, thus dividing the past. After his first visit to and culture was conducted. humankind. The emergence China in 1924, Tagore decided Said Tagore in his speech and creation of nation-states in to found an institution to play a at the opening ceremony of the non-Western world was an role in enhancing and promot- Cheena Bhawan: “This is affront to culture and civiliza- ing cultural exchange between indeed a great day for me, a tion, worsened by colonialism. the peoples of India and China. day long awaited, in which By internalizing the nation- Later in 1928 in Malaysia (then I can revive on behalf of our state system and the mindset called Malaya), the poet met people and the people of China, that comes with it, the world Tan Yunshan, an outstanding discourse with a foundation has done more harm than good Buddhist scholar. At Tagore’s laid 1,800 years ago by our for itself. invitation, Tan Yunshan came ancestors with infinite patience Being neighbors, India and to India and stayed on the and sacrifice.” An intense China, which are considered campus of Vishwabharati, believer in the power of culture the two Asian superpowers Tagore’s international univer- to influence relationships today, also share rich cultural sity located in Shantiniketan, between peoples of different links dating back centuries. West Bengal. The subsequent lands, Tagore declared in the Even in the face of modern-day scholarly discussions between same speech, “Cooperation political hurdles, this aspect of him and Tan Yunshan on the and love, mutual trust and the two nations’ relationship historical, cultural and civili- mutual aid make for strength has continued to strengthen, zational aspects of India and and real merit of a civilization. fostering great people-to-peo- China led to a concrete plan We were for over a century so ple contact and cooperation. to build an institution. In 1937, successfully hypnotized by the Indian poet and Nobel with monetary support from prosperous West behind its

19 COMMENT chariot that, though choked by the dust, deafened by the noise, humbled by our helplessness, overwhelmed by speed, we still agreed to acknowledge that this chariot-drive was progress, and that progress was civilization.” Tagore advocated intense cultural interaction between India and China and strongly opposed those who blindly worshiped Western cultural traits and values. It is important for us to give due consideration _ to his views. November 3, 2018: A vendor displays electronic firecrackers made in China at In the pre-modern border- the Moonlight Market in New Delhi, India. Diwali, one of India’s biggest and less era, travelers, mostly most significant traditional festivals, fell on November 7 that year. Firecrackers are a highlight of the festival celebrations. In recent years, traditional monks, freely made trips firecrackers haven’t sold as well as before, while electronic firecrackers to each other’s lands. They produced in China have become increasingly popular. by Zhang Naijie/Xinhua gained knowledge about the various aspects of the lives of people who lived in India’s independence in Chinese economy in the early distant lands. In his 2018 book 1947 and China’s Liberation in 1990s, economic relations India, China and the World: 1949 created a new opportu- expanded quickly as trade and A Connected History, Tansen nity for the two new nations investment grew rapidly, the Sen showed that in the first to restore and rejuvenate trust deficit notwithstanding. century CE, Buddhist ideas goodwill through people-to- This economic exchange has and images from India first people relations. The first continued to steadily grow reached Han China through decade, ending with 1959, and deepen over the years. merchants and traders. The witnessed a reasonable volume However, broad consensus cultural impact was so strong of interactions between holds that fostering people- that drawings were engraved the two countries, consid- to-people relations through on the boulders of Mount ering that both were weak cultural contacts remains Kongwang in northern Jiangsu and with limited resources. imperative. Better relations province. The popularity of Unfortunately, political flash- will help the two countries as Buddhism in China, which points such as the 1962 border well as the rest of Asia and the peaked in the Tang dynasty, war greatly obstructed and world. A robust cultural rela- inspired major cultural inter- curtailed the growth and tionship will most certainly actions between Indians development of a healthy reduce the trust deficit and Chinese. This exchange relationship. The once smooth significantly. The India-China continued with varying inten- trajectory of overall Sino- example can then have the sity throughout the medieval Indian relations was affected. potential to serve as a model period too. However, with After this rough patch, for other states. On the Asian the dawn of colonialism, we restoring trust between the continent with its many flash- have witnessed a dominance two peoples became a crucial points, ties between peoples of geopolitics at the cost of issue. Relations began to show can make a big difference. This cultural bonding. But this progress after Prime Minister may sound unrealistic and does not undermine the fact Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China impractical but an attempt—a that a robust cultural relation- in 1988. And with the liberal- serious attempt—towards this ship has existed between the ization of the Indian economy end would not harm anyone. peoples of India and China. and rapid growth of the One cannot exaggerate the

20 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE ever-growing popularity of ancient civilizations, will India and China closer to the Chinese language in India. have a positive impact on one another from early times Of course, this development people, but needs to be down to the present. In 2014, has a lot to do with China conducted on a wide scale. the encyclopedia was released becoming an economic power- A positive and meaningful and remains a very useful house which led to wider step in this direction was source material for scholars trade, investment and other taken by the two governments from all over the world. commercial contacts between of India and China when The Ministries of Culture India and China and new job they agreed to publish an of both the countries need to opportunities for many. Many Encyclopedia of India-China launch measures to promote universities in the public sector Cultural Contacts. The idea greater cultural understand- and some in the private sector of releasing this volume was ing and appreciation of one have introduced Chinese introduced in December 2010 another. For starters, trans- language courses, which have in a joint Communique issued lation projects need to be attracted many students. by the Indian and Chinese undertaken with seriousness Primarily intended for training governments at the end of and sincerity. All historians in people to work for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India know that in pre-mod- companies and Indian compa- India. Later, the Institute of ern times, many Chinese nies doing business with China, Chinese Studies was identi- scholars who visited India the positive side effect of these fied by the Indian Ministry wrote detailed accounts of language courses has been that of External Affairs as the their experiences after return- they also introduce Chinese resource center for this proj- ing home. Such writings exist culture—its literature, drama, ect. According the Institute’s in great volume, but no major art, cinema and everything else. website: “The objective was effort has taken place to trans- Although the number of people to bring the history of many late them into English, Hindi learning Indian languages is not centuries of India-China or any other Indian language. as high in China, many Chinese, cultural contacts into the From the Indian perspective, particularly the young ones, public domain, making it these accounts will shine seem to be greatly attracted easily accessible to people of considerable light on the lives to Indian culture. Yoga is both countries. The goal is and ideas of Indians in ancient gradually gaining popularity. to reinforce connected histo- times. Such translation proj- In Kunming, Yunnan Minzu ries and pinpoint encounters ects can lead to or expand University has a department and links that have facili- into bigger projects under- exclusively devoted to the tated mutual enrichment taken by UNESCO or similar learning and teaching of Yoga. and growth of both cultures organizations and include Most remarkable, however, is and societies. As an initiative inter-cultural studies of the the popularity of Bollywood between two governments, whole of Asia as well as the films and music. Last April, it was expected to provide entire world. In other words, while I was a visiting faculty a much-needed boost to an India-China connected at Central China Normal the effort to build popular history project can merge into University, I was pleasantly consciousness and confidence a global academic endeavor surprised to find out that many in the shared cultural expe- which in turn can benefit all students watch Indian movies rience of India and China.” of humanity in the form of fairly regularly and love to talk Over three years, a group of knowledge. This will lead to about them. In India many scholars from both countries mutual understanding and filmmakers have a high opinion worked tirelessly to produce appreciation and ultimately to of Chinese films of this century the massive work comprising peace and harmony. as well as contemporary extremely useful information Chinese directors. not just about events and Enhancing cultural relations places but also about individ- The author is the vice-chairperson at the between nations, particularly uals who made efforts to bring Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi.

21 STRATEGY

Think Tank Exchange: Brain Food for Cooperation

By Gao Peiyong

It is crucial for China and India, the world’s two largest emerging economies, to optimize think tank exchange and ensure timely communication between “masterminds” of the two nations.

hinese President Xi Jinping proclaimed in his speech at the openingC ceremony of the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that “friendship, which is fueled by close contact between people, is key to sound state-to-state relations.” In May 2015 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China, leaders of the two countries reached important consensus on organizing the China- India Think Tank Forum. _ Thanks to the joint efforts August 20, 2018: Participants of the 24th World Congress of Philosophy in from the Chinese Academy Beijing. More than 6,000 philosophers, scholars and amateur philosophers of Social Sciences and the from 121 countries and regions around the world attended the event themed “Learning To Be Human.” This was the first time that participants Indian Ministry of External of the event conducted philosophical discussions with traditional Chinese Affairs, the first China-India philosophy as the fundamental academic framework. VCG

22 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Think Tank Forum was held in New Delhi in 2016. Already, it has become a regular communication mechanism and an integral carrier of cultural exchange between China and India.

HUGE POTENTIAL FOR COOPERATION As key representatives of developing countries, China and India have also hosted the fastest-growing major emerging economies in recent years. Many have dubbed the 19th century the “European _ Century,” the 20th century November 21, 2018: Participants of the Global Think Tanks Forum visit the the “American Century” and planning exhibition hall of Tianfu New Area in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan the 21st century the “Asian Province. VCG Century.” China and India are the two main pillars bolstering the revival of cooperation and inject new landscape and is expected to Asia. Consequently, the two vitality into bilateral rela- rank among the top 10 trad- countries shoulder the main tions. The biggest highlight ing partners of China. This responsibility of leading the of bilateral ties is economic testifies to the necessity and development of emerging and trade cooperation, which importance of strengthening economies and share a multi- is also a key growth point trade cooperation between tude of common interests. for their relationship. Trade China and India. They have reached consensus volume between China and In addition to tapping to safeguard the current inter- India grew from US$2.9 potential in economic and national order and push it to billion in 2000 to US$84.4 trade cooperation, China become fairer and more ratio- billion in 2017. Against a and India also need to jointly nal. They also hold identical backdrop of sluggish global explore the international or similar stances on many economic growth and rising market, especially markets international and regional protectionism, China and of developing countries. issues. There is no reason India have set a good example Moreover, Chinese and China and India should not for the world’s major econo- Indian enterprises greatly carry out close cooperation in mies to maintain and solidify complement each other and making new historic contribu- economic connection. In should work together to tions to people of developing 2017, trade volume between explore markets in regions countries in Asia, Africa and the two countries increased like Southeast Asia, South Latin America. by 20 percent year-on-year, Asia and Africa through China-India cooperation the biggest growth rate over mutually beneficial coop- should not only focus on the past five years. Presently, eration. By so doing, the forging strategic mutual China is India’s largest import two countries will not only trust, but also pay attention source and fourth largest create opportunities for their to practical outcomes. Based export market. Meanwhile, own development, but also on actual conditions, the two India has also occupied an inject momentum into the sides need to continuously increasingly important posi- modernization of developing seek new growth points for tion in China’s foreign trade countries.

23 STRATEGY

CURBING CHALLENGES peace, development and now face unprecedented TOGETHER governance pose severe challenges. As two rising Human society is entering challenges to mankind. developing countries, China an era of great development, China and India need to and India must participate in reform and adjustment. work together to address such and integrate into economic Alongside increasing world challenges. The Chinese highly globalization to achieve multi-polarity, economic commend the remarkable national rejuvenation. globalization, social infor- achievements India has made Although the existing global matization and cultural in promoting its economic governance system remains diversification, peaceful development and social imperfect, China and India development remains a progress and admire the fore- still need to safeguard global- robust trend, and mankind sightedness and pragmatism of ization and fight for it to has been constantly acceler- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. become more inclusive while ating the pace of reform and In the process of realizing the unswervingly upholding the innovation. Countries have Chinese Dream of national general trend of economic never been closer, people rejuvenation, China is open globalization to enhance around the world have never to marching forward shoul- developing countries’ respon- been hungrier for a better der-to-shoulder with India, a sibilities, rights and interests life, and human beings have country embracing a similar in the global governance never before enjoyed such dream of national revival. In system. diverse methods to over- this multipolar world, China In the autumn of 2013, come difficulties. supports the idea of both President Xi Jinping first announced the idea of jointly building the Silk Chinese and Indian think tanks need to Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk promote effective dissemination of methods Road (collectively known as and ideas learned through research on the Belt and Road Initiative) during his visits to accelerating economic development Kazakhstan and Indonesia, and improving governance and people’s respectively. Over the past five-plus years, over 100 livelihoods to domestic government countries and international departments and the people of both organizations have joined in the Belt and Road Initiative. countries in a timely manner. Moreover, the Initiative has been included into the resolutions of the UN However, we need come countries speaking on behalf General Assembly and the to terms with the fact that of developing countries on the UN Security Council. So far, today’s world is full with international stage with their the Belt and Road Initiative challenges. Global economic wisdom as ancient civilizations. has shifted from vision growth requires new driv- China and India need to into reality, with fruitful ers, development needs work together to stand up achievements realized. to be more inclusive and to rising protectionist senti- The ancient Silk Road balanced, and the wealth ments worldwide and guard crossed areas along the Nile, gap should be narrowed. against attempts to roll back Tigris, Euphrates, Indus, Some regions are still the economic globalization Ganges, Yellow and Yangtze plagued by instability, and trend. Multilateral trade rivers, nourished ancient terrorism remains a prev- mechanisms which under- Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian alent threat. Deficits in pin economic globalization and Chinese civilizations, and

24 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

controlling old and new problems concerning bilateral ties to make greater contributions to stabilizing their relationship. More importantly, Chinese and Indian think tanks need to spread effective methods and ideas on accelerating economic development and improving governance and people’s livelihood in each other’s countries that have been learned through research. Such concepts must be distributed to domestic government departments and personnel in a timely manner to help solve similar problems _ plaguing both countries. November 20, 2015: The 6th World Forum on China Studies is held at Both China and India Shanghai International Convention Center. Themed “China’s Reform, have fostered many think Opportunities for the World,” the event attracted more than 200 experts and scholars from over 30 countries and regions to discuss topics concerning tanks. As China’s highest China’s reform process against the backdrop of globalization. IC academic institution and comprehensive research center of philosophy and traversed habitats of people a crucial role in promoting social sciences, the Chinese from different countries and public diplomacy and mutual Academy of Social Sciences races with diverse religious learning between different is enthusiastic about lever- beliefs such as Buddhism, civilizations. It is particu- aging its research capacity Christianity and Islam. Over larly crucial for China and and its influence on the millennia, the ancient trade India—the world’s two major Chinese government and route that extended thou- emerging economies—to build public to carry out policy sands of miles fostered the a think tank exchange and and pioneering research Silk Road Spirit characterized cooperation mechanism from with its Indian counterparts by “peace and cooperation, the governmental perspec- on an equal footing. This openness and inclusivity, tive, strengthen state-to-state research should focus on mutual learning and mutual cultural exchange and achieve facilitating policy coordina- benefit.” A precious legacy timely communication tion and people-to-people of human civilization, between “masterminds” of the communication between it provides a significant two nations. China and India, providing solution and guideline for Think tank exchange intellectual support for the addressing new challenges between China and India two countries to realize their faced by economic globaliza- should set its sights not respective dreams and creat- tion in the 21st century. only on communication on ing a favorable atmosphere international and regional for mutual understand- MEETING OF MINDS issues concerning respective ing, trust and cooperation Think tanks are an integral national interests to coor- between the two nations. part of the soft power of a dinate foreign policy of the modern country. They have world’s two biggest develop- great value in the national ing countries, but also commit The author is a member and vice president governance system and play to effectively discussing and of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

25 STRATEGY

India and China: Profound Mutual Understanding

By Srikanth Kondapalli

The Wuhan meeting has provided rich dividends to India and China in terms of charting a new course to improve bilateral relations across the board.

o promote better Ocean and others. However, interactions have happened in mutual under- since the Wuhan meeting the realms of foreign affairs, standing, India between President Xi Jinping defense, public security, and China have and Prime Minister Narendra national security establish- launchedT several initiatives Modi in April 2018, several ments, armed forces, finance, including an agreement signed initiatives have been under- trade representatives and by Indian External Affairs taken to reduce the influence others, in what seems to be Minister Sushma Swaraj and of such problems and adopt a an unprecedented wave of Chinese State Councillor and forward-looking posture on interaction at all levels. In Foreign Minister Wang Yi on improving bilateral relations. the words of China’s foreign high-level people-to-people The Wuhan meeting ministry spokesperson, these exchange and cultural inter- resulted in emphasizing efforts aim to “constantly action in December 2018. The “strategic communications” accumulate positive energy.” agreement aims to enhance between the two sides, First were visits by foreign mutual interaction between enhancing stability in border affairs and defense minis- the two peoples, which is areas through confidence ters to attend preparatory expected to improve mutual building measures (CBMs), meetings in the run up to understanding down the line. reducing trade deficits, the summit of the Shanghai Many nagging problems supporting a multipolar world Cooperation Organisation continue to plague bilateral and exploring possibilities to in Qingdao. Prime Minister relations such as the unre- work on economic projects in Modi visited Qingdao in June solved territorial dispute, war-torn Afghanistan. 2018 and signed two agree- Tibet, trade deficits, mutual ments with President Xi on perceptions related to rela- HIGH-LEVEL INTERACTION hydrological data exchange tions with Pakistan or the Since the Wuhan meet- and non-Basmati rice exports United States, the Indian ing, a series of high-level to China. They also agreed to

26 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

However, the visit provided a new twist to enhance mutual understanding at the popular level. Many such issues are not new to the bilateral relations. Indeed, several MoUs have been concluded over the last three decades between India and China including on 1,000-plus youth exchanges, 32 annual scholarships, “friendship year,” book fairs, film distribution, yoga and Gandhi centers, Nalanda University, sports and other sectors. Bollywood movies, specifically Aamir _ October 23, 2018: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Chinese State Khan’s recent blockbusters, Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi in New Delhi, India. VCG have carved out niche market in China. Despite the introduction of e-visa facilities, raise bilateral trade to over to enhance counter-terrorism tourism between the countries US$100 billion by 2020. Modi’s cooperation, improve institu- remains relatively low with observation on “inclusivity” tional mechanisms to counter 240,000 Chinese visiting India in the emerging Indo-Pacific organised crime and drug and (mainly to Buddhist sites) in architecture was well received human trafficking and further 2017 compared to 1.4 million in Beijing at the Shangri-La exchange of information. Indian visitors to China. Dialogue a week earlier. Chinese State Councillor In the current round of General Wei Fenghe, China’s and foreign minister Wang discussions between the defense minister, visited New Yi also made a major visit to foreign ministers, over 40 Delhi from August 21 to 24, Delhi. During the visit from items on which some prog- 2018, and discussed ways to December 21 to 24, 2018, a “ten ress had been achieved in the establish a hotline between the pillar” agreement was signed past were merged in the new two military commands, imple- with his counterpart Sushma format to provide a new boost ment CBMs, re-commence Swaraj on furthering high- for the bilateral relations. counter-terror Hand-in-Hand level people-to-people and joint operations between the cultural exchange. The pillars INFLUENCING MUTUAL two armies (later held success- include youth exchange, PERCEPTIONS fully from December 3 to 23, tourism promotion, museum Alongside frequent visits, 2018 in Chengdu) and open two management, film and TV a second recent trend has more border personnel meet- joint production and sharing, been expanding institution- ing points (in addition to the expanding the sister cities alization of sectors with current five already existing in network, increasing language mutual understanding. border areas). education, enhancing Mutual perception matters. Another high-level meeting professional translation and This pertains to the media was held by China’s Public interpretation and promoting and think tank forums that Security Minister Zhao Kezhi educational exchanges, sports, both started seeing more and his Indian counterpart medicine and Yoga. emphasis. In the light of the Rajnath Singh during the As civilizational states, intensification of globaliza- former’s visit to Delhi on India and China know the tion, specifically in terms of October 23, 2018. Both agreed importance of soft power. new technologies, human

27 STRATEGY communication has increased Globalization is also affect- 2013 with participation from exponentially. Digitalization, ing the Chinese media in 40 media organizations and artificial intelligence, many ways. In December 2016, 80 professionals from both quantum technologies, China Global TV Network sides. Speaking on the occa- e-commerce and other tech- (CGTN) was launched. To sion, Indian foreign minister nologies have opened new mark the occasion, President Salman Khurshid stated that vistas for large countries such Xi Jinping declared: “The this event would go a long way as India and China. Indeed, relationship between China in enhancing communication, with massive numbers of and the world is undergoing exchange, mutual understand- consumers and ever-expand- historic changes. China needs ing and cooperation between ing markets, India and China a better understanding of the media of the two countries to are at the cutting edge of the world, and the world needs create a sound public opinion information and communica- a better understanding of that fosters further develop- tion technology age. China.” Then, in late 2018, ment of bilateral relations. Also, the sinews of these China Central Television, The second India-China communications—the China National Radio, and media forum was held on discourse systems—are China Radio International February 1, 2015 in Beijing. predominantly shaped by were all united under the Jiang Jianguo, minister of the Western discourse with most “Voice of China” banner. State Council Information countries left with no option Indian media has not been Office of China, and foreign but to either follow such immune to the winds of minister Sushma Swaraj discourse or evolve their own globalization either. Print, addressed the gathering. voice on several emerging electronic media and social The third forum was held in issues. The latter, sometimes networking sites in India New Delhi on December 21, dubbed “Eastern” discourse, have all recently experienced 2018. India’s External Affairs is informed by Asian values, major transformations. With Minister Sushma Swaraj resolution of issues through its federal, multiparty democ- stated that “until we enhance dialogue and consensus, racy and negotiating with our people to people relations, multipolarity and other traits. each constituency, Indian it will be hard to further Certainly, India and China media is self-supportive and intensify our cooperation.” have pursued their own meth- regulated by the profes- Three themes emerged from ods of building such discourse sional Press Council and this meeting: enhancement of systems but find it mutually Broadcaster’s associations. media understanding, promo- beneficial to collaborate on Nevertheless, despite tion of a closer development such issues. China operates these differences, the roles partnership and brainstorm- Confucius Institutes around of traditional and new media ing a roadmap for future the world while India has in both countries are chang- media cooperation. Joint film Tagore chairs and Gandhian ing fast with globalization. production, content sharing centres alongside the popular- Both India and China are and other potential activities ization of Yoga. entering unchartered waters were discussed. In the media industry, the and plan to synergize their A second initiative launched structures of ownership, opera- advantages as economic to address mutual perceptions tion and dynamics are different growth rates in the eastern has reached the think tanks in India and China. Today, hemisphere continue to far level. Both China and India along with thousands of print eclipse those of the west- now have hundreds of tanks and electronic media outlets, ern hemisphere. The Media that provide policy options China has bourgeoning social Forum is a result of this deep to various powers. Their role networking sites that have thinking in India and China. in shaping perceptions of become popular and indispens- The first India-China the elite cannot be underes- able due to integration with media forum was held in timated. While think tanks e-commerce trends. New Delhi on September 16, in both countries have been

28 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE interacting with each other, through building elite consen- and China have highlighted such networking has been sus are to be effective, India the need to reform and reor- predominantly on a one-to- and China also need to work ganize the Bretton Woods one basis. concretely on certain themes institutions to reflect changed Flowing from the agreement closer to them. The common- times. Since 2010, their efforts between Prime Minister Modi ality of interests is emerging have succeeded marginally in and President Xi Jinping at as seen in joint statements and enhancing their voting shares their meeting in Beijing in positions of these countries on in the International May 2015, the first think tank a number of issues. Monetary Fund. forum was held in New Delhi Today, India and China India and China, as with from December 9 to 10, 2016 are key advocates of global- Brazil and South Africa (in under the theme “Towards ization. As beneficiaries of the BASIC format), have a Closer India-China globalization in terms of articulated “common but Developmental Partnership.” market access, investment differentiated responsibili- According to the agreement, flow, exports and imports ties” in addressing climate these forums are intended “to over the course of reform change. Despite the intran- provide structured advice and and liberalisation, India and sigence shown by developed recommendations to govern- China have articulated such countries in addressing the ments on both sides.” positions in G20, BRICS and cumulative emissions over The second India-China other international forums. two to three centuries of think tank forum was held in Their emergence coincides industrialization and despite Beijing from June 24 to 25, with threats of increas- the 1997 Kyoto Protocols, 2017, under the theme “India- ing tariffs and potential BASIC countries rallied China Strategic Cooperation restrictions on markets and positively by capping their and Developmental financial access. own emissions albeit in a Partnership.” Chinese Since the 1990s, both have cascading manner. Academy of Social Sciences been advocating a multipo- The outcomes of the Wuhan President Wang Weiguang lar world considering the meeting have provided rich emphasized building a multi- uncertainties in interna- dividends for India and China polar world order. tional politics following the to chart a new course of action The third think tank forum outbreak of the Gulf Wars and to improve bilateral relations was held from December the Afghanistan campaign. in several fields. The direction 20 to 21, 2018 in New Delhi The resultant missile strikes, of such cooperation has been under the theme “Civilization deployment of troops, regime positive as reflected in several Connecting Towards an Asian changes and emerging high-level visits in quick Century.” For the occasion, “borderless” phenomenon in succession and the recent foreign minister Swaraj stated North Africa and the Middle expansion of the cooperation that the event would reinforce East were major concerns agenda. “Permanent peace” “our belief in the inher- for India and China. Both between these nations is possi- ent intellectual connection were also concerned with ble if they resolve core issues, between our two countries. the potential for a spill-over and they are trying to move in With our relations deepening effect of such incidents in their that direction by influencing and our regional and interna- domestic situations. On this mutual perceptions. tional role evolving, the world issue, both have coordinated expects our two countries their positions in the United to lead Asia and usher in an Nations and other multi- ‘Asian Century.’” lateral institutions such as Russia-India-China triangle, THEMATIC APPRECIATION BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation The author is a professor in Chinese Stud- If high-level visits and Organisation and others. ies at New Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru enhancing mutual perceptions Through BRICS, both India University.

29 TREND

Profound Dynamics

By Nazia Vasi

Fueled by cash flows and expanding channels of communication, China and India are awakening to a third round of bilateral brotherhood, focused on cultural exchange.

was living in Shanghai was a poorer, slower and FILM AND TELEVISION and working as the smaller neighbor and mostly COOPERATION Indian head of an Asian inconsequential to China, Aamir Khan’s movie 3 tax and legal consultancy which then had GDP growth Idiots grossed US$3 million inI 2008 at a time when cultural at 9.7 percent. in China just a few years exchange between China and However, in 2017, an influx ago, helping cement India’s India left a great deal to be of investments led by Alibaba image as an enchanting, desired. Indian art and cultural and Tencent, who announced colorful nation capable of performances touring China’s or closed deals valued around fascinating the Chinese. major cities attracted mostly US$2 billion, heralded Today, film cooperation Indian spectators, who enjoyed renewed Chinese interest in between India and China is wallowing in song and dance India’s flourishing soft power. booming. Inchin Closer, a from their motherland because China and India have had China-India language and of homesickness. Chinese a rich tradition of exchange cultural consultancy I founded people tend to be rare at these dating back centuries. The first in 2010, is in the middle of cultural events. wave was led by Xuanzang’s translating an animation script Many reasons could be journey to the West and the for a 5D film that was written blamed for the phenomenon— spread of Buddhism across in and will be produced in familiarity with India was China. The second round was India but shown in 5D theaters low at the time. Most Chinese fueled by business, initially in China. This project is didn’t know India as the soft- through the trade of cotton making the most of India’s film ware superpower it is today. and tea and then opium. Today, production skills and China’s Its economy was only making fueled by cash flows and infrastructural abilities. 3.9 percent annual growth. expanding channels of commu- Also in the works is a Most Chinese hadn’t traveled nication, China and India are pilot for a Chinese TV to India, were not particularly waking up to a third round of series, exclusively created, interested in it and hadn’t bilateral brotherhood focused scripted and produced in heard much about it. India on cultural exchange. India solely for a Chinese

30 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE audience. Considering that flow with passion, storytelling government officials to work China is home to the greatest will remain India’s strength. out plans to host bilateral number of screens world- The cultural similarities film festivals. The agenda was wide, the content consumed between China and India have designed to facilitate sharing by the country’s story-hungry proven a big advantage for the the secrets of Bollywood. consumers has skyrocketed, latter when creating content 5D films and TV series are media producers in Beijing for the mobile-screen-tot- not the only carriers of the are bending over backwards ing, binge-watching Chinese cultural collision between to meet the rising demand. viewer. Modern twists on China and India. Interest in Unable to keep up with love stories and mythological both nations’ literature has the demand themselves, epics are especially high in also swelled. A translation of domestic Chinese producers demand, and just what Indian Amar Chitra Katha’s graphic are commissioning Indian production houses—skilled in novel on Mahatma Gandhi is production companies to the genre— are being commis- now in the works. The novel make TV shows specifically sioned to write by Chinese has already been translated for the Chinese audience. A media companies. Beijing is into Chinese and will soon be trend never imagined before, now looking to Mumbai, the available at bookstores and China is now looking to India capital of India’s film industry, for online download, enabling for rich storytelling, film- to emulate and accelerate its Chinese readers to understand making and the production storytelling and film produc- how India fought for indepen- abilities to create world-class tion capabilities. dence against the British with content that can be seam- Recently, a high-level non-violent means. lessly sold to audiences from government delegation led Shanghai to Kashgar. by Mr. Feijin Du, member of MIXED MARRIAGE Concurrently, Chinese the Standing Committee of Alongside the media, other content is also being created the CPC Beijing Municipal technology has enabled for Indian audiences. Committee, visited Mumbai Indians and the Chinese to Translated from Chinese to and New Delhi. Delegates met traverse cultural barriers. Hindi, a Beijing-based TV film producers, the head of Many have fallen in love, series of historical Chinese the Mumbai Film Festival and married and moved to the stories will be subtitled and dubbed for airing on Indian networks. Stories from the Qin Dynasty will be soon shown on Indian TVs, high- lighting ancient traditions and customs—similarities our two nations share. Indian audiences will witness the parallels between Indian and Chinese historical dramas, mythology and epics. The secret to making Bollywood movies so spicy is creative chaos, an element that China’s films seem to lack. India’s film industry functions in a mad sync that _ only its insiders understand. December 18, 2018: Famous Indian film actor Aamir Khan takes a selfie with Until China’s film industry can students at Xidian University in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi Province, during a harness its creative power and trip to promote his movie Thugs of Hindostan.

31 TREND other country, adapting to dance. However, traditional prices and profits in India. family values, traditions and a Hindu weddings involve the China is also attracting new way of life. Sing Ming is couple circumambulating Indian youth with opportuni- one example: Now a mother around a fire to the tempo of ties to experience the country of three children, she married a priest chanting ‘mantras’, and culture firsthand through Gautam, a software engi- blessings for the couple. programs such as those offer- neer from Bangalore, India’s Inchin Closer was recently ing attractive scholarships Silicon Valley, nine years ago. called to translate these to study Mandarin. In 2010, Today, she makes a lucrative mantras for a Chinese bride’s approximately 80 Indian living translating documents family who had travelled from students were offered schol- between Chinese and English, Hunan Province for their arships to study Mandarin the business languages of daughter’s marriage to a man and by 2018, the number China and India. named Prashant. The Chinese had almost doubled to 150. “Xiao Ming” is a member side of the wedding party was Studying, living and work- of a constantly growing enthusiastic about under- ing in China not only offers WeChat group of Chinese standing the meaning behind Indians firsthand experience wives who are married to the customs and rituals. in the country, but also helps Indian men. The group, them make friends and build with almost 200 members, SINGING IN CHINESE a lasting relationship with was started about six years Jankee, a professional their neighbor. ago when a few women Indian singer, was recently The volume of Chinese came together to support invited to sing a Chinese tourists to India is growing as each other in a foreign land. song at a traditional Indian well. Per 2017 India Tourism Although few have met wedding. The groom’s family Statistics, the number grew each other, the group is an had some important Chinese by 12.5% between 2008 and extremely strong support clients at his wedding and 2017. As an increasing number network to help the newly wanted to impress them. So of Chinese experience India married settle in India’s Jankee was enlisted to learn firsthand, our similar cultures, chaotic cities. The most and sing Mandarin pop songs commonalities and brother- discussed topic in the group to impress and entertain hood are becoming more and is food. The women help the Chinese clientele at the more apparent. each other recreate dishes wedding. Through these various from home in Indian cities Because Mandarin remains channels, strengthening of where Chinese ingredients China’s primary language, cultural relations between aren’t readily available. One producers must make content peoples of the world’s two woman even figured out how in Mandarin. Additionally, most populated nations is to make tofu from scratch because of its vital role in on the upswing. This third since Indian paneer (cottage bridging relations in business, wave of cultural camaraderie cheese) never came close in the number of Indians inter- is fueling stronger relations taste or texture. Other topics ested in learning Mandarin has between China and India. of conversation range from skyrocketed. Businesspeople, And through the intermin- how to deal with in-laws, traders, merchants, entrepre- gling of the threads that bind experiences growing up as neurs and professionals all our people, our nations will only children in China, and want to learn the language so weave a tapestry of love, raising kids in a multicul- they can do business in China. respect and a deeper mutual tural home. Speaking Mandarin gives understanding. Many enjoyed boisterous them a big advantage. They Indian weddings. Marriages can communicate easily with in India, like in Bollywood clients, which establishes a The author is founder and CEO of Inchin movies, are colorful and channel of trust and camarade- Closer, an India-China language and busi- peppered with song and rie which translates into better ness consultancy.

32 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

High Road to India-China Partnership

By Sudheendra Kulkarni

The ‘Holy Water Diplomacy’ initiative organized in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region presented a unique example of promoting cultural-spiritual cooperation between China and India.

n my experience, the Republic of China in Mumbai, (in Sanskrit) connotes an most important thing to and the Observer Research icon. Incidentally, the offi- remember about diplo- Foundation (ORF) in Mumbai, cial residence in New Delhi macy between India and it was a unique undertaking in which Pandit Jawaharlal ChinaI is that it should not be in fostering greater people-to- Nehru, India’s first, also left only to government lead- people contact between China longest-serving, prime minis- ers and diplomats only. Such and India. ter lived is called ‘Teen Murti people are vital, but far more At the core of the initiative Bhavan’—literally, house of important are the breadth, was faith, mythology and a the three-faced supreme depth, strength and continu- snow-clad mountain on the divinity. ity of contacts and exchanges border of the two countries, I was struck when Nehru’s between the peoples of both with a sacred lake nearby. great-grandson Rahul Gandhi, countries. Indian and Chinese First, a brief back- president of the Indian civilizations have historially ground. I am writing this on National Congress, took to interacted to their mutual bene- Mahashivratri, an important social media to express his fit. But even today, as has been day on the Hindu religious prayers to Lord Shiva on the case with the relationship calendar. It literally means the auspicious occasion of since ancient times, interac- ‘Big Night’, when prayers are Mahashivratri. The image he tions in the cultural-spiritual offered to Lord Shiva, one used to illustrate his message sphere have forged the stron- of the three manifestations was that of Mount Kailash, a gest bonds. A striking example of god in Hindu mythology, holy mountain located in the of such interaction has been also known as Trimurti. The Tibet Autonomous Region the India-China Holy Water three are Brahma the Creator, of the People’s Republic of Diplomacy initiative. Jointly Vishnu the Sustainer and China. Hindus believe that conceptualized in early 2015 Shiva the Destroyer. ‘Tri’ (in Shiva resided at the summit of by Zheng Xiyuan, then-Con- Sanskrit) or ‘Teen’ (in Hindi) this mountain, where he sat in sul General of the People’s stands for three, and ‘murti’ a state of meditation together

33 TREND with his wife Parvati. The perennially snow-clad peak touching the sky presents a stark meditative look, quite in line with the ascetic appearance of Shiva himself. This mountain is sacred not only to Hindus but also to Buddhists in Tibet and beyond. Close to Kailash is Manasarovar, which literally means ‘Mind Lake.’ It is a vast water body that presents an image of prayerful serenity. The lake is sacred for Buddhists _ too, since Buddha himself One of the major Hindu festivals, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every is believed to have visited it 12 years in Nashik, India. Xinhua and meditated on its shores. Hindus believe that a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and and China, guided by the Kailash-Manasarovar, located Manasarovar at least once in a conviction that developing in the Tibet Autonomous lifetime is spiritually beneficial. friendly relations with China Region of China, and offering Seeing the image of Mount is the most important foreign it to the holy waters of River Kailash in Rahul Gandhi’s policy task for our country. Godavari during the Kumbh message on Mahashivratri No one can deny a certain would kindle the imagina- inspired me to recall the “trust deficit” between our tion of millions of common unforgettable pilgrimage I two nations. Economic and people in India. It would also undertook to this abode of the business cooperation, though create enormous goodwill for divine nearly four years ago. very important, are insuffi- China in the minds of Indian This was not an individual cient to eliminate this deficit. people. We called it ‘Kailash journey, but one made with It is of utmost importance to Mansarovar-Kumbh Pavitra the team behind the ‘Holy re-discover and strengthen Jal Sangam Yatra.’ (‘Pavitra Jal Water Diplomacy’ initiative civilizational exchange and Sangam’ means a confluence between China and India. cultural-spiritual kinship of holy water.) Significantly, the Chinese between India and China. Thus, both the symbolism government, through its Out of this belief came the and substance of ‘India-China consulate in Mumbai, actively idea that we should re-es- Holy Water Diplomacy’ repre- facilitated and participated tablish links between things sented a “Triveni Sangam”—a in this undertaking which and places that both Indian three-way confluence. First, was jointly sponsored by and Chinese people regard it produced a sangam (conflu- the Chinese consulate and as “holy.” It so happened ence) of the holy waters of ORF Mumbai, which I was that the once-every-12-years Lake Manasarovar and River then heading. Holy Water ‘Kumbh,’ one of the biggest Godavari. Second, it connoted Diplomacy also received acco- religious congregations the sangam between Hinduism lades from External Affairs of the Hindu community, and Buddhism, since Kailash Minister Sushma Swaraj. had begun in July 2015 in and Manasarovar are sacred The idea behind this Nashik, on the banks of River for both Hindus and Buddhists event was to supplement Godavari, which is revered as around the world. Lastly, it ongoing efforts to promote Dakshin (southern) Ganga. represented a sangam of the better understanding and Therefore, it occurred to us spiritual, cultural and civiliza- cooperation between India that bringing holy water from tional traditions of India and

34 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

China. Tibet was literally breathtak- commend the creative manner When Consul General ing, but the aerial view of the in which you have made efforts Zheng and I first met Himalayas, silhouetted against to build goodwill and better Maharashtra Chief Minister the bluest of blue skies, took understanding between the two Devendra Fadnavis, he enthu- my breath away figuratively. ancient civilizations of India siastically welcomed the The mountains and the sky and China by joining water idea. Afterwards, the Chinese seemed engaged in a perennial from Kailash Mansarovar with consulate and ORF Mumbai and intimate conversation, that of the river Godavari.” together formed a delegation undisturbed by anything The idea behind the under- comprising a dozen eminent human. The sight set the mood taking was simple: to stress personalities from different for the rest of the trip. that China-India relations run walks of life. They included A three-hour road jour- much deeper than politics. Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, a nationally ney brought us to Kailash. Those who think otherwise renowned computer scientist, The Chinese government are either unaware or dismis- Anjali Bhagwat, the world’s has kept pilgrimage destina- sive of the 2,000-year-old best in rifle shooting in 2002, tions admirably clean after cultural-spiritual bonds that Popatrao Pawar, who is inter- building excellent supportive connect the people of India nationally acclaimed for his infrastructure. and China. My many visits work in rural transformation Mount Kailash is unlike any to China have convinced me and poverty alleviation, Dr other mountain in the world. Its that there is tremendous Anand Bang, a champion most remarkable feature is that goodwill for India at various of pro-people and afford- it often seems utterly unremark- levels of Chinese society. able healthcare and Ramesh able at first glance. However, for Unfortunately, widespread Haralkar, a neo-Buddhist those in a meditative mindset, a anti-China propaganda in follower of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar long gaze at its austere appear- India coupled with a shock- and an activist who has been ance facilitates inspiration from ing level of ignorance among working for the welfare of its mystical power. Indians about Chinese history sanitation workers in Mumbai. In the presence of Lake and civilization, has made Following an agreement Mansarovar, mythological many decide that “hard strat- between Prime Minister legends of how the lake was egy and realpolitik” are all Narendra Modi and President formed are hardly the point. that matters. The Holy Water Xi Jinping, China opened Even atheists are likely to be Diplomacy undertaking is a second route to Kailash touched by the purity of the only one of several possible Mansarovar through mere sight of the lake and the methods of strengthening Nathu-La in Sikkim in June gentle sound of its waves as cultural-spiritual bonds and 2015. Of course, we took they caress the white pebbles promoting people-to-people the sky route. We flew from on the shore. That is where contact. This, in turn, will Mumbai to Chengdu, and our delegation performed a help fill the trust deficit and then to Lhasa, the capital of ceremonial prayer ritual in inject new life into the India- Tibet. Although the two-day the presence of locals, repre- China strategic partnership, stay in Lhasa was meant to sentatives of the provincial which is needed for peace in enable us to acclimatize to the government, and the consul Asia and the world. high-altitude and low-oxygen general and his wife. Later atmosphere, it gave many of we collected holy water from us a rare opportunity to take Lake Mansarovar in ceremo- in the matchless beauty and nial brass pots (‘kalash’) and spiritual richness of Tibet. carried it back to India. The author is a political and social com- From Lhasa, a small plane A letter noting completion mentator based in Mumbai. He was an took us to Ngari Gunsa airport. of the ceremony was sent aide to India’s former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and recently founded Luckily, the afternoon was to External Affairs Minister ‘Forum for a New South Asia,’ which advo- clear and sunny. The climate in Sushma Swaraj, who replied, “I cates India-China-Pakistan cooperation.

35 CASE STUDY

The Leaves of Mutual Learning between India and China

By Wang Bangwei

In the new century, let the ‘Nigrodha’ tree of Sino-Indian friendship grow deeper roots and more luxurious leaves.

n world history, India very brief conflict. Looking at Sanskrit word Cīna [Cheena]. and China are the only the world around us, can we The word ‘China’ in Western countries to share both find such an example in Asia, languages was mostly drawn proximity and simi- Europe or America whether from Sanskrit. What does larI historical experiences. in the remote past or present? this indicate? This, at least, Both China and India are Probably there are none. The evidences that most people ancient civilizations with history of mankind has seen around the world understood long history and uninter- many civilizations, but their China through Cīna—it would rupted cultural development. traditions only live in distant not be wrong to assert that Both are Asian and world memory after they have long India has played a key role in giants with vast territory been discontinued. From the world getting to know and and large populations. The ancient times to the present, understand China. combined population of countless protracted conflicts, The English word for the the two accounts for about big and small wars between nation of India also orig- a third of the world total. various countries or regions, inates from Sanskrit—the We are neighbors with only have come to pass, and some word ‘Sindhu,’ meaning the natural boundary of the conflicts continue to rage ‘River’ or the ‘Indus River.’ Himalayas between us. We on today. Looking at the big Persian people were the first share many commonalities, picture of world history, the to use this word for India. and we have maintained a legacy of contact between Later, it spread to Greece, history of friendly contact for China and India is indeed very and distorted pronunciation over 2,000 years. Across two different from anywhere else. finally made it ‘India’. millennia, only in the early ‘Zhongguo’ is translated To this day, although 1960s did the two countries as “China” in English. The the Chinese call China engage in an unfortunate but origin of the word is the ‘Zhongguo,’ and Indian people

36 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

_ May 29, 2010: Then-President of India Pratibha Patil (second left) attends the completion ceremony of the Indian- style Buddhist hall at the White Horse Temple, dubbed the “first Buddhist temple in China,” in Luoyang City, Henan Province. VCG call their country ‘Bharata,’ many Chinese people about Great Buddhist Masters of the people in most countries two thousand years ago. If Kaiyuan Era,” and Amoghavajra of the world know our two India is the root of Buddhism, was one of them. Amoghavajra countries as China and India. Chinese Buddhism could be had a Chinese disciple named We say the globe is big, but considered as the trunk and Han’guang. When Amoghavajra the world is also shrunken leaves that sprouted from the returned to India, Hanguang because communication and Indian roots. However, this went with him. The Biography exchange between people and does not properly illustrate the of Han’guang was found in the countries is more frequent issue. A story from the history 27th volume of Biographies and intimate today, and now of Chinese Buddhism may of Eminent Monks of Song ‘China’ and ‘India’ have been further illustrate this point: Dynasty (Song Gaoseng the most frequently used During the mid-Tang Zhuan). According to the text, terms for the two countries Dynasty, a Buddhist monk upon returning from India, globally. named Amoghavajra, who Han’guang went to Wutai Many concrete examples was called Bukong in Chinese, Mountain during the reign help illustrate this point, but traveled to China from India. of Tang Emperor Taizong. I believe that Buddhism is Amoghavajra propagated On Wutai Mountain lived an a central and probably the Esoteric Buddhism in China eminent monk called Zhanran foremost one, followed by and became highly revered by who asked Han’guang about his language and art. Obviously, Chinese people. Among the experience in India. Han’guang many more convincing cases Buddhist monks who came to told him the following: could be presented. China from India during the There was a monk from Buddhism originated in Tang Dynasty (618-907), there some county of India who India and spread to China, were three monks who were was well versed in the School where it was accepted by revered as the “First Three of Emptyness. He asked

37 CASE STUDY me about the teaching of Hu languages so they could do we know this? Indian Zhizhe. He said: ‘I once heard be understood by the people. people like things compli- Zhizhe’s teaching can judge Buddhist monks in their cated, more words and final right and wrong, discern kingdoms were tasked with enlightenment. flat and round, understand translating and disseminating The elements of the Samatha and wisdom, being the texts to various kingdoms Nigrodha tree are “branches reinforced by his merit.’ ranging from Qinghai to and leaves planted in soil, He repeatedly pleaded, ‘If northern tribes to the Pamir. root and trunk growing up you have chance to come to Subsequently, these texts were from branches and leaves.” India again, please translate certainly disseminated into Zanning used the root, Zhizhe’s work from Chinese India. So in Cheshi, today’s branches and leaves of the into Sanskrit so I can learn it.’ Turfan, the Songs of Mao, Nigrodha tree as a metaphor He held my hand and repeat- Analects of Confucius and to illustrate the relationship edly begged for this. Classic of Filial Piety were between Buddhism and the Traditionally, it was taught in schools. Translations cultures of China and India. Chinese people who learned of Chinese texts were readily He discussed the common- Buddhism from India. But available in Hu languages. alities and differences quite as time passed and after And the people of the profoundly. The words of understanding China’s condi- western region during the Zanning made me think of tions, Indian monks showed Tang era revered the Book of the experience of Xuanzang enthusiasm for learning about Changes and Daode Jing. The in India. Xuanzang went to Chinese Buddhism. This is a emperor ordered Buddhists India with the objective of very interesting development and Taoists alike to translate learning Buddhism from the to consider. Although some them into Sanskrit. An intense Great Masters of India, but at doubt the credibility of this debate was sparked between the same time he contributed anecdote, the story as whole Buddhists and Taoists over greatly to the development of is solid. Zanning, the compiler whether the Daode Jing could religion and culture in India. of Biographies of Eminent be translated into Bodhi. Xuanzang studied the text of Monks in the Song Dynasty, Eventually, the project was Yogācārabhumī from Śilāditya commented as follows after abandoned. How nice it would at Nālandā. Moreover, he trav- recounting the previous story: have been if these classics had elled far and wide in India and While Buddhism was being been translated and sent to acquired vast knowledge. preached and developed the western regions! In Nālandā, Xuanzang wrote in China, did anyone hear If China’s western regions Huizong Lun (Integrating the about Buddhism going back are like the root and trunk of Doctrines of Two Schools) to the western regions? It is Buddhism, and Dongxia, east- and Po Ejian Lun (Refuting said that during the time of ern China, is like its branches the Fallacy) in Sanskrit. While Liang Emperor Wu, Kualu and leaves. The branches the former reflects on the Khan, the King of Tuyuhun, and leaves are more known fusion of the Mādhyamika and dispatched an envoy to Liang to humans than the root and Yogācāra School of Mahāyāna and sought Buddha’s Statue trunk, but branches and leaves Buddhism and expounded and 14 Buddhist Sutras and cannot be planted in the soil to Xuanzang’s personal views Abhidarma works. Emperor grow a root and trunk, which on the subject, the latter Wu gave them his commen- is what happened with the argues in favor of the theory taries on the Sūtras of Nigrodha tree. of Mahāyāna and received Pariṇirvāna, Prajñāpāramitā Chinese people are agile. considerable appreciation and Suvarṇaprabhā, a total How do we know this? They from Indian scholar monks. of 103 volumes. Because the like things brief, fewer words Śilāditya (Harṣavardhan), envoys were well versed in and more understandable. the Indian king at the time, Chinese, after they went back, People of the western regions held the highest esteem for they translated the texts into are simple and honest. How Xuanzang’s moral character

38 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

India coexisted peacefully until modern times. For two thousand years, China and India avoided the unceasing conflict that has plagued many regions in favor of peace and friendship as the main theme of relations between the peoples of China and India. The pursuit of peace and harmony globally has always been the goal of the peoples of the two countries. Today, peace and tranquility are hard to come by in many _ May 17, 2017: A visitor at a photo exhibition of India’s Buddhist cultural places around the world. heritage in Beijing. VCG Discordance and tension are all around. Fortunately, in Asia, classical common and knowledge. When he of “branches” changing into understanding between organized a mass assembly “roots” and vice versa. In Chinese and Indian people at his capital of Kanyākubja Sanskrit, some words like has been strengthened of late. (present day Kannauj), he Cīnī (sugar), Cīnaja (steel), Peaceful coexistence, friendly invited Xuanzang to be the Cīnaputra (pear), Cīnanī contacts, mutual learning and key speaker. He also invited (peach) are all related to common development are all twenty Kings and more than China. Using Zanning’s meta- that is needed. Today, if India four thousand Buddhist phor, the cultural interaction and China can handle their Monks from across India, between India and China affairs well, almost a third of in addition to more than could be described as a big world affairs will have been two thousand disciples of “Nigrodha’ tree, the roots managed properly. So, what is other religions participating crisscrossing, with luxuriant preventing the people of India in the assembly. Xuanzang foliage, and emitting vitality and China and peace-loving presented a paper at the even today. Actually, both people around the world from assembly with arguments Chinese and India people are making joint efforts to set that no one could refute for living under the same big tree. such an example? eighteen days. Therefore, In China, the ancient schol- I believe that all friends in the monks of Mahāyāna ars had a great debate on China and India hold unani- Buddhism dubbed Xuanzang world peace and harmony mous consensus on this point. “Mahādeva.” The monks of just before the Warring In this new century, let the the Hīnayāna faith named States period (475-221 BC). ‘Nigrodha’ tree of Sino-India Xuanzang “Mokṣadeva.” However, the people at that friendship develop deep roots Xuanzang was the only time had limited sense about and luscious leaves. Under Chinese monk to go to India the world and its scope. the big tree, China and India and earn the title of “Deva” Subsequently, China and India can come together and make for his scholarship. came into direct contact with a historic contribution to Over the course of two each other. As far as Chinese world peace. millennia of interaction people were concerned, the between China and India, scope of the world gradually many instances of “roots” widened, especially after and “branches” can be frequent contacts with India The author is a professor of Peking found as well as examples were established. China and University.

39 CASE STUDY

Buddhist Caves: Traces of China-India Cultural Exchanges

By Zhao Shengliang

Both India and China preserve ancient Buddhist grottoes, or caves, demonstrating the deep history of China-India cultural exchanges and representing different Eastern philosophical modes of thought.

ultural exchanges also known as the Thousand academic investigation in between China and Buddha Grottoes, which China. Later, Dunhuang India go back thou- form a system of 492 Academy sent researchers in sands of years. One of well-preserved cells and succession to India to study theC most influential is the intro- cave sanctuaries southeast subjects such as the origin of duction of Buddhism to China of the center of Dunhuang Chinese Buddhist art. Indian from India, which forms a key in China’s Gansu Province. researchers also came to cultural tie between the two As early as the 1980s, the China for academic activities. countries. Both India and China academy carried out a series In September 2018, preserve ancient Buddhist grot- of exchange activities and Dunhuang Academy and toes, or caves, demonstrating co-hosted academic seminars IGNCA signed a memoran- the deep history of China-India with Indian cultural and dum of cooperation. The cultural exchanges. China and arts centers such as Indira two sides will carry out India share abundant similar- Gandhi National Center for cooperation across fields ities in culture, representing the Arts (IGNCA). In 2004 including cataloging, study- different Eastern philosophical and 2005, exchange visits of ing, and authentication of modes of thought. scholars from both sides have Indian documents, compar- been successfully conducted. ative studies of Indian and DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO During this period, two schol- Chinese Buddhist art, joint CIVILIZATIONS ars from Dunhuang Academy exhibitions, exchange visits Dunhuang Academy, spent one month in India of scholars, book publication, an institution responsible for academic research, and and jointly building “cultural for the management and three IGNCA researchers corners.” In November 2018, research of the Mogao Caves, also conducted a one-month “From Ajanta to Mogao,”

40 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

_ December 23, 2018: The seminar “Dialogue of Civilizations Between India and China” was held in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU), Aurangabad. by Chen Gangquan an advanced seminar on B. A. Chopade, vice-chan- Professor Wang Bangwei Buddhist art, was held by cellor of BAMU, and Li with Peking University, and Dunhuang Academy in Bijian, minister counselor Professor Huang Xianian with Mogao Caves, and Indian of the Chinese Embassy in the Chinese Academy of Social experts were invited to India, attended the seminar Sciences participated the event. give lectures. In December and delivered speeches at the Chinese and Indian scholars of this year, “Dialogue of opening ceremony. carried out in-depth discus- Civilizations Between India This high-level academic sions on the history, culture and China” organized by seminar also attracted many and art of Buddhist grottoes. Dunhuang Academy and well-known scholars from During the seminar, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar both China and India. Quite a Dunhuang Academy also Marathwada University number of renowned Indian signed a memorandum of (BAMU) was successfully scholars such as Professor understanding with BAMU. held in BAMU, Aurangabad. Lokesh Chandra, Professor B. The two sides will establish BAMU is located in R. Deepak from Jawaharlal a communication mecha- Aurangabad, Maharashtra Nehru University, and Dr. B. nism to encourage exchange of India. The city is a tour- R. Mani, director-general of of professionals in history, ism hub, surrounded by India’s National Museum, geography, and archaeology, many historical monu- made speeches at the semi- and to carry out coopera- ments, including the Ajanta nars. Dunhuang Academy’s tion in the protection and Caves and Ellora Caves, art history expert Zhao restoration of artistic and which are UNESCO World Shengliang, Su Bomin and cultural heritage, and share Heritage Sites. Thus, hosting Chen Gangquan, experts in experience on cultural relics “Dialogue of Civilizations grotto cultural relics protec- protection, archaeological Between India and China” tion, archeologists Wang excavation, digitization of seminar in this city held Huimin and Zhang Xiaogang, cultural relics, publishing great significance. Professor historian Zhao Xiaoxing, and education.

41 CASE STUDY

_ Pictured is artist Du Yongwei (right) teaching students on the restoration of painted sculptures in Dunhuang on May 20, 2018. VCG

COMMUNICATION, and Northern Dynasties Temple, Ajanta Caves, and INTEGRATION AND EVOLUTION (420–589) and reached its Ellora Caves. Because of the Buddhism used to be the peak during the Sui (581- complexity of religious devel- state religion of India. It was 618) and Tang (618-907) opment, Buddhism actually in the mainstream of Indian dynasties, profoundly influ- showcases the exchange, culture from the 2nd century encing Chinese culture. Over integration and evolution of BC to the 7th century AD. the centuries, Buddhism different regional cultures At that time, Buddhism was has become an indispens- during its process of devel- popular throughout India, able part of the traditional opment and propagation and was introduced to Chinese culture. In India, throughout the world. In China via Central Asia and however, Buddhism gradu- Buddhist art from all parts to Southeast Asia from the ally went downhill after the of China, people can not only southeast of India, becom- 7th century AD, and eventu- see the influence of Indian ing the largest religion in ally declined. Today, a great culture, but also cultural Asia. Buddhism came to number of Buddhist relics elements from Central Asia, China during the Eastern can still be found in various West Asia and even Europe. Han Dynasty (25-220). It places throughout India, Thus, studying Buddhist began to flourish in the such as the Great Stupa culture can illuminate country after Southern at Sanchi, the Mahabodhi the contacts between the

42 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE civilizations of India, Central exchanges via the Silk quite a lot of work. In 2005, Asia, West Asia, ancient Road, the glorious achieve- when Zhao visited Ajanta Greece, and China. ment of Dunhuang culture Caves and Ellora Caves, he The Mogao Caves are the would have been impossi- could only find simple leaf- product of cultural exchanges ble. Today, the Dunhuang lets about the caves, with between China and other parts Academy also adheres to almost no specialized books of the world via the ancient the spirit of openness and in sight. Now, books on these Silk Road. Mogao Caves, inclusivity, striving to caves by Indian scholars, containing some of the finest promote Chinese culture even some in-depth publi- examples of Buddhist art in represented by Dunhuang cations, are available. This China, were greatly influenced art to the world, and make demonstrates the changes by India from the very begin- Dunhuang culture better in Indian academic circles. ning. People can see the close understood to the world. BAMU has opened up courses relation in such features as The academy spares no on Buddhist history and art architectural form, murals and effort to make the spirit of and has begun to promote stone carving between Mogao the Silk Road play a better research on Indian Buddhist Caves and Indian Buddhist role to further the Belt and culture as an important caves such as Ajanta and Ellora Road Initiative and promote research and teaching proj- Caves. Caves constructed the exchange and develop- ect. This reflects the fact at Mogao during the 4th to ment between Chinese and that India’s local academic 6th century showed a strong Indian cultures. and educational institutions foreign influence. People can Some Indian scholars at have begun to attach greater find sculptures of Greek and the “Dialogue of Civilizations importance to the study of Indian styles, structures of Between India and China” Buddhist culture. Central Asian styles, decorative said that while there are It is believed that with patterns such as a honeysuckle abundant Chinese scholars India’s social and economic design influenced by plant studying the Mogao Caves, development, more and more patterns from Mesopotamia there are too few researchers people will attach great (historical region of Western focusing on Indian Buddhist importance to its traditional Asia ) and ancient Greece, as culture such as the Ajanta culture, including Buddhism, well as a linked-pearl pattern Caves and Ellora Caves. and pay attention to the influ- and a hunting pattern influ- Indeed, for historical and ences that traditional culture enced by Central Asia. In the cultural reasons, the Indian brings to modern society. process of communicating academic community has a Buddhist culture is an with foreign cultures, Chinese relative dearth of research important aspect of China- artists constantly adapted on Buddhist culture. More India cultural exchanges. these cultures to the Chinese than a decade ago, when India has a large number of soil and eventually formed a art history expert Zhao cave relics such as Ajanta native tradition of Chinese Shengliang from Dunhuang and Ellora. China also has Buddhist art. Academy visited IGNCA, he large-scale Buddhist art Thus, the spirit of found only one scholar there heritage such as Mogao Dunhuang art represents who was studying Buddhist Caves and Yungang a spirit of openness, inclu- art, while many scholars Grottoes. These cultural sivity, communication and were studying Hindu culture heritages and their origins integration. The splendid and art. In recent years, an will be important topics Dunhuang art shows that increasing number of Indian to explore for the cultural there is no development researchers began to focus exchange between both without communication, on Indian Buddhist art, countries. and no influence with- including studies on grottoes, out inclusivity. Without relics, and museum collec- The author is the vice director of Dun- the continuous cultural tions. And they are doing huang Academy.

43 DISCUSSION

Next-Level China-India Literary Exchange

By Yu Longyu

With support of both governments and wide-ranging participation from cultural enterprises, Sino-Indian literary exchange will soar to new heights on the wings of science, technology and capital.

n September 17, pioneering and key driving December 21, 2018, Indian 2014, President Xi force of communication and External Affairs Minister Jinping was invited exchange among cultures. Sushma Swaraj and State to Gujarat, the China and India share a long Councilor and Foreign hometownO of Indian Prime and colorful history of literary Minister Wang Yi co-chaired Minister Modi. During their exchange. Leading modern the first meeting of the meeting there, Modi likened Chinese literary figure Lu Xun China-India High Level China and India to “two bodies once offered a concise and Mechanism on Cultural and with one spirit.” At the Indian insightful summary: “China People-to-People Exchange Council of World Affairs the has interacted with India since in New Delhi, India as a following day, President Xi ancient days, and this process follow-up to the agreement remarked in his speech enti- provided prosperity, thoughts, made by Xi and Modi during tled In Joint Pursuit of a Dream beliefs, morals, arts and liter- their informal summit in of National Renewal that Modi’s ature. How much closer can Wuhan. By all accounts, liter- words showed the kind and two be than blood brothers?” ary exchange between China peace-loving nature shared In contemporary days, Indian and India has entered a new by our two great civilizations literature, especially Tagore’s stage. If we were engaged and the intrinsic connection works, still exert far-reaching in “Version 1.0” Sino-Indian between them. “Two bodies, influence in China. literary exchanges in the one spirit” inspires broad pros- In April 2018, President Xi past, from now on, we should pects for Sino-Indian spiritual Jinping met Prime Minister strive to build “Version 2.0.” and cultural exchange. Narendra Modi of India in In the 1.0 era, Sino-Indian Culture connects many Wuhan. Modi was in China literary exchange was often fields, with literature as the for an informal meeting that spontaneous, one-way and core and most powerful. produced several import- only occurred between Literature has always been the ant points of consensus. On individuals. Confined

44 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

_ January 9, 2016: The 24th New Delhi World Book Fair opened in India. China participated as the Guest of Honor. IC

by traditional means of 2.0 era, as the two govern- tongues such as Bangladeshi communication, transla- ments increase support of and Tamil will get more tions of literary works were literary exchange. Cultural attention. The context done upon the initiative enterprises have also pitched around media convergence, of individual translators. in on a large scale, and Sino- multimedia integration and Members of translation Indian literary exchange cooperation will also encour- groups were restricted to will soar with the new wings age development of cultural acquaintances. The two of science, technology and undertakings and literary governments and scholars capital. Thanks to the latest exchange. lacked dialogue. The only intelligent translation soft- Literary exchange works available were paper ware and 5G technology, between China and India publications translated translation of literary works has reached a new stage without modern efficiency. will soon become indus- well worthy of investment. Ongoing since the turn of trialized. Translators can the 20th century, it took 100 devote more time to error BUILDING A SHARED years for the Collected Poems correction, polishing and PLATFORM FOR LITERARY of Rabindranath Tagore to be improving the quality of EXCHANGE translated and published in translations. Alongside more Professor Tan Yunshan, Chinese. available work in widely-read who has traveled frequently Such roadblocks should languages such as Chinese, to India for half a century, is be completely lifted in the English and Hindi, other a prominent friendship figure

45 DISCUSSION for the two Asian giants. beneficial for teaching and also translated more than With Tagore’s support, Tan studying. 500,000 words of Ji Xianlin: Yunshan founded the Chinese India-China Civilizational Academy in Santiniketan in NEW METHODS FOR CLASSICAL Dialogue and Intercultural 1937. The institution remains a TRANSLATION Studies into English and key research center of Sinology Translation of Chinese Hindi. Few experts are as in India to this day. Over the and Indian classics has proficient in Chinese and past 80 years, the Chinese always been an important Hindi as he is. Although academic building has been form of cultural exchange direct translations from regarded as one of the most and long-lasting. After an Chinese into Hindi are the spectacular architectural agreement on translation of most accurate, there are designs on campus. Increasing literary works was reached not enough translators to demand for Chinese language between China and India meet the actual demand. education has teachers and in 2013, the Encyclopedia of How could we change the students of the Chinese acad- China-India Cultural Contacts phenomenon of “a roomful emy seeking financial support Between China and India was of Chinese translation of from China to build a match- published in two volumes. Indian classics and a hand- ing building for the original During the same period, ful of Indian translation of academic building as a special reciprocal translations of Chinese classics?” We could place for Sino-Indian literary several classical works consider translating Chinese exchange. Such a structure from the two countries classics into Indian national might include a small lecture accelerated. Among them languages such as Hindi from hall, reading rooms and dormi- were Hindi translations of English versions. China and tories for Chinese teachers Chinese Poetry, The Analects of many other countries have and language students. If a Confucius and Four Books by used this “second-hand” literature museum could also B. R. Deepak of Jawaharlal option effectively. Today, be built, it will be incredibly Nehru University. Deepak Chinese, Hindi and English can be translated in parallel. Early Chinese translations of Tagore’s works relied on existing English and Russian translations and were only much later translated directly from the original Bengali.

COOPERATE TO PROTECT CLASSICS As a result of natural and man-made disasters, many volumes of literary classics have been destroyed in both China and India. Despite extensive efforts spent to rescue and protect literature today, arduous tasks in the field remain ahead. The Indian government now _ prioritizes a mission to save manuscripts. This project is October 13, 2016: Guests unveiled the nameplate at the launching ceremony of the China Books Editorial Department and the co-publishing projects in significant for the preserva- New Delhi, India. by Bi Xiaoyang/Xinhua tion and documentation of

46 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

_ November 25, 2017: Bookaroo, India’s first children’s literature festival, was held in the Children’s Park near the Indian Gate in New Delhi, India. VCG ancient India, which held film and television. students to perform in each the tradition of “voicing other’s countries might sow religions.” China has rich YOUTH EXCHANGE AND seeds for theatrical exchange. experience and deep skills in THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES rescuing manuscripts (includ- Younger generations from EXPORTING TOURISM ing rare documents), which China and India heartily LITERATURE can be used for reference by appreciate each other’s liter- Tourism is an important Indian counterparts. ature. In addition to reading form of human communica- literary works and watching tion, and tourism literature LITERARY EXCHANGE TO FILM movies and TV, their enthu- is a unique sector. China COOPERATION siasm has also been reflected exports the world’s greatest Literary exchange could in theater. Translations of number of tourists, and India also be extended to film and classics have been the most attracts Chinese tourists with television. A Sino-Indian valued, but touring perfor- its Buddhist culture, splen- co-production of Tan Yunshan mances also deserve attention. did ancient civilization and would be a timely exchange Tagore’s plays are popular Bollywood movies. China’s project. If the film proves among college students history and development also successful, three other works of in Beijing, Tianjin, Jinan, drew considerable tourism a “Golden Bridge of Friendship” Lanzhou and Shenzhen. The visits from India. The two series between China and Ninth Beijing Nanluoguxiang countries need to deepen India could be co-produced: Performing Arts Festival understanding of each other, Tagore and China, Dwarkanath organized a season to pay trib- and tourism should be a top Kotnis and Ji Xianlin’s Passion for ute to Tagore with six plays: action item. India. Historic works such as Chitra, The Post Office, Sanyasi, Xuanzang, White Horse Temple, Red Oleander, Tan Yunshan Kumarajiva and Bodhidharma are and Atonement. Organizing The author is director of the Center for some other subjects suitable for Chinese and Indian university Indian Studies at Shenzhen University.

47 DISCUSSION

By the Book

By Rajiv Ranjan

India and China endured similar historical situations that shaped their literature, which has impacted their societies and radiated around the world.

ndia and China are Moulton called world liter- even promoting diversity. two ancient civiliza- ature the ‘autobiography of Both India or China have tions that share a long civilizations.’ Literature helps profound literary histories history of cooperation civilizations understand with long lists of great schol- andI exchange in trade, knowl- themselves. Literature is also ars and writers. Historically, edge and culture. They have a mirror reflecting impres- the diaries of Xuanzang contributed significantly to sions of the society. In India, remain a key Chinese histori- human civilization through literature has played a key cal account of India. Similarly, their cultural offerings. As role in preserving history, early Buddhist texts brought the global situation is becom- enhancing its geography and to China represent a major ing more competitive, the two countries are reinforcing their millennia-old model of peaceful co-existence and prosperity, following the peaceful path paved by ancient masters such as Confucius and Buddha. Culture is the soul of any society and nation, and human civilizations always sprout from cultural practice. With rich history and philosophy, India and China share abundant cultural tradition, of which literature is a prominent part. Generally, literature _ includes subject, struc- June 3, 2017: The 12th International Cultural Festival of Jilin University kicked off. ture and ideas. Richard G. A Chinese girl is taking pictures with Indian students. by Zhang Yao/Xinhua

48 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE source of Buddhist knowledge not available from original texts in India. In the modern period, Rabindranath Tagore impacted many Chinese writers while Lu Xun was a very popular progressive writer influential in India. Indian and Chinese literature are vast and diverse collections consisting of multiple languages and cultures and are integral building blocks of world literature. Not only do they continue to impact their own societies but their pulse beats _ around the world as they May 20, 2017: Indian overseas students from Nanjing University of the Arts influence foreign literary introduced Indian customs to Chinese students. VCG trends. Classical philosophical works of Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism are now another mainly through oral of reading and writing are part of the global conscious- tradition. Nature, ethics and on the rise. And Indian and ness. The four major classics spiritual knowledge were the Chinese societies are in of China, The Three Kingdoms, main content. closer contact with global Outlaws of the Marsh, Journey In the ancient period, trends as the two countries to the West, and The Dream of literature was written to become leading developing the Red Mansions, all remain praise of emperors, explore countries. Thus, authors popular. Similarly, classi- the imagination and pay are engaging in literary cal texts of India such as homage to nature. experimentation. Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, In the modern period, liter- The 21st century has been Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana ature challenged orthodox dubbed the century of the Mahabharata are widely read practices. Modern progres- East. China and India both and studied around the world. sive writings depicted rural emerged as important global India and China have people, villages, the plight players as the world navigates much in common in terms of women and other issues. many challenges along- of literary development. Indian society was colonized side the reshuffling of the The two countries endured while China was also plagued global balance of power and similar historical situations by semi-colonialization, and redefining of international that shaped their literature. literature was used as a tool relations. Indian and Chinese Both countries’ literary against feudal and colonial governments have engaged development can be divided practices. with each other on different into four periods: classi- The contemporary period platforms, sharing important cal, ancient, modern and has accompanied reform bilateral strategic, economic contemporary literature. and opening up. Digital and cultural relationships. In the classical period, the alternaties to print have Still, exchange of literature language medium in India challenged traditional books between India and China was Sanskrit and classical as the internet revolutionizes has been very limited. Both Chinese in China. During education with computers governments are making this period, knowledge was and mobile phones in every continuous efforts to deal passed from one generation to possible way. New means with the issue.

49 DISCUSSION

_ On May 19, 2007: The exhibition “Xuanzang’s Pilgrimage - Ding He’s Rediscovery Photographic Works” opened at the Capital Museum of China. In just four years, photographer Ding He visited Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region thirteen times, crossed the Lop Nur twice, and retraced Xuanzang’s entire journey from Xi’an to Nalanda, India. by Tao Xiyi/Xinhua

Despite challenges facing Chinese and Hindi and 2016 an India-China transla- India-China relations, boost direct translation tion program was launched new doors are opening. from Chinese to Hindi and by the two governments. Business cooperation, Hindi to Chinese. In the Hindi institutions in China tourist trips, student and recent past China has done increased from three to research exchange, and significant work in this area, twelve, and more than thirty movie exchange have all but India needs to do much universities have started helped Chinese and Indians more. Governments need to teaching Chinese in India. to better understand each divorce politics from cultural An increasing number of other. People-to-people bonds exchange and implement Indian and Chinese students between both sides have favorable policies for educa- are pursuing Masters and increased significantly, but tional exchange. The media, Doctorate degrees in each language remains a barrier to which heavily influences other’s countries. The new understanding. To read each public opinion, has played a generation is clearly playing other’s literature, English is large role which now needs to a significant role in literature often the conduit for trans- change. Also, more publishing and cultural exchange. lation. But communicating houses and authors should through a third-party colo- participate in book fairs, liter- nialist language isn’t the ideal ature festivals, educational way to understand each other conferences and seminars. The Author is Guest Faculty teaching properly. Conditions have improved Chinese at the Delhi School of Journal- It is critical to teach over the past decade. In ism, University of Delhi.

DATA

Friendly Exchange: Bridging China and India

Edited By Hu Zhoumeng

riendliness students head to China for cooperation, language teach- between peoples is the education. Indian films such as ing, tourism cooperation, key to sound relations Dangal have become popular and youth, sports, media and between states. Guided with Chinese audiences, and academic exchange, copro- byF their national leaders, China yoga has been popular in China duction of films, and more. and India have boosted coop- for decades. The 2.7 billion people in China eration in various fields such as China and India established and India hold enormous investment, commerce, educa- a high-level people-to-people potential for cooperation. tion, tourism, arts and culture. exchange mechanism at the The increasingly enhanced Bilateral investment and trade end of 2018. In the future, the people-to-people exchange are on the rise. A rising number two countries will hold multi- will strengthen mutual under- of tourists from China and India ple activities related to cultural standing, mutual trust and are visiting each other’s coun- exchange, preservation of friendship, driving China-India tries. More and more Indian cultural relics, education relations forward.

52 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Commerce and Trade 2016 2017

US$ 11.76 billion US$ 16.35 billion China's imports from India China's imports from India

US$ 58.42 billion US$ 68.04 billion China's exports to India China's exports to India

China’s exports to India (Jan. to Sep., 2018) India’s exports to China (Jan. to Sep., 2018)

Volume Year- Volume Year- Proportion Category (million on-year Proportion Category (million on-year % （%） USD) （%）（） USD) （%）

In total 56,251 5.7 100.0 In total 11,745 34.9 100.0

Mechanical and electrical Minerals 3,577 57.6 30.5 28,665 -4.1 51.0 products Chemical products 2,558 63.3 21.8 Chemical products 10,089 32.9 17.9 Textile and raw materials 1,378 39.0 11.7 Base metal and relevant 3,970 9.2 7.1 Mechanical and electrical products 1,004 23.4 8.6 products Plastics and rubber 2,277 22.3 4.1 Base metal and relevant 913 -39.1 7.8 Textile and raw materials 2,145 10.5 3.8 products . . Transportation equipment 2,040 33.3 3.6 Plastics and rubber 735 160 7 6 3 Animal and vegetable fats Furniture, toy and 321 -2.3 2.7 1,406 0.7 2.5 and oils Miscellaneous Products Live animals and animal Watches and clocks, optical 258 179.6 2.2 1,296 -0.4 2.3 products and medical equipment Precious metals and relevant Pottery and porcelain, glass , . . 255 85.2 2.2 1 105 22 2 2 0 products , . . Minerals 1 042 46 0 1 9 Plant products 132 10.0 1.1

Cellulose pulp and paper 406 -7.1 0.7 Shoes, umbrellas and other 127 -10.8 1.1 light industrial products Shoes, umbrellas and other 387 13.7 0.7 light industrial products Watches and clocks, optical 113 -5.1 1.0 and medical equipment Precious metals and relevant 366 -18.8 0.7 products Transportation equipment 93 -10.0 0.8

Leatherware, bags and Leatherware, bags and 312 24.5 0.6 90 -8.9 0.8 suitcases suitcases

Plant products 130 -47.7 0.2 Cellulose pulp and paper 86 2,030.7 0.7

Others 617 -11.3 1.1 Others 105 -25.5 0.9

Source: stats.gov.cn, countryreport.mofcom.gov.cn

53 DATA

Investment

In 2016 US$ 51.81 million In 2017 US$ 157.72 million actual use of Indian direct investment actual use of Indian direct investment in China in China

Cumulative total of China's direct investment in India to date (2009-2017, million USD)

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

221.27 479.8 657.38 1169.1 2446.98 3407.21 3770.47 3107.51 4747.33

Source: stats.gov.cn and 2017 Statistical Bulletin of China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment

Tourism (in thousands) Number of Chinese tourists to India Number of Indian tourists to China

Source: BRICS Joint Statistical Publication 2018 1000 800 820 800 640 640 610 650 650 610 550 600 540

400 251 247 181 206 142 169 175 200 98 100 120

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 year

Overseas Students in China 2014 2015 2016

Korea 62,923 Korea 66,672 Korea 70,540

USA 24,203 USA 21,975 USA 23,838

Thailand 21,296 Thailand 19,976 Thailand 23,044

Russia 17,202 India 16,694 India 18,717

Japan 15,057 …… ……

Indonesia 13,689

India 13,578 Source: moe.gov.cn ……

54 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Aviation Source: carnoc.com

Number of air passengers year-on-year Number of air passengers year-on-year travelling between China growth travelling between China and growth and India in 2017 India in the first half of 2018 650,000 3.68% 377,000 10.5%

From 2016 to the first half of 2018, in terms of air passengers travelling between China and India

Shanghai Delhi

Ranking Beijing Ranking of Mumbai of Chinese Indian cities cities Guangzhou Shanghai and Delhi is the pair of cities Calcutta with the largest amount of mutual flights between China and India Kunming

Film Release date Box office Source: piaofang.maoyan.com

Box office of coproduced movies Top five Indian films in China, in terms of box office revenue by China and India in China

May 5, January March 2, April 4, October April 29, January January 2017 19, 2018 2018 2018 12, 2018 2016 28, 2017 28, 2017

US$193.52 US$111.28 US$42.54 US$31.34 US$22.25 US$4.91 US$260.47 US$112.63 million million million million million million million million

Dangal Secret Superstar Bajrangi Bhaijaan Hindi Medium Hichki Xuan Zang Kung Fu Yoga Buddies in India

Date Sister Cities and Sister Provinces (States) established October, 2013 Beijing-Delhi May, 2015 Sichuan Province-Karnataka State

October, 2013 Chengdu-Bangalore May, 2015 Chongqing-Chennai

October, 2013 Kunming-Calcutta May, 2015 Qingdao-Hyderabad

September, 2014 Guangdong Province-Gujarat State May, 2015 Dunhuang-Aurangabad

September, 2014 Guangzhou-Ahmedabad December, 2017 Jinan-Nagpur

September, 2014 Shanghai-Mumbai Source: cifca.org.cn

55 YOUNG VOICES

Beyond borders: China and India’s enduring cultural bonds

Concept by China-India Dialogue

Language of Love sentence, and figure out which mold daily politics and culture. words were from another The shapes of the countries exert Tanvi Dutta Gupta language. Oops. a physical presence on my life. Age: 18 It keeps happening over I hold the passport of one and I Occupation: Gap-year student and and over, which is perplexing grew up in countries dominated incoming freshman (class of 2023) at given how structurally and by the other. Often, the two Stanford University syntactically dissimilar the feel in opposition. The two Birth place: Singapore two languages are. I learned superpowers seem to glare at Current city of residence: Singapore Mandarin formally by shaping each other across the mountains. phrases over and over in a I see only one immediately classroom. My Hindi was obvious, inarguable, quantifiable absorbed from kitchen similarity between China conversations at home, semi- and India as they look today, fluency constructed from which is their scale. Yet, in the grocery lists and gossip. But afternoons in rural Shandong, now I slip a Mandarin verb into our teacher called a small group the middle of a Hindi sentence of us to sit cross-legged in the without even thinking. As if sunlight. He had bought us each I expect them—two radically a copy of Confucius’s Analects, I mix up Mandarin and Hindi separate approaches to words and we sat and read line by a lot. I don’t always realize it at and grammar and script—to line, tearing the words apart first-only after my grandmother somehow seamlessly dance. as the sun turned a pollution- or teacher falls silent do I For me, India and China exist stained red. “A young man think to backtrack, review the in parallel. Living in Asia, they must remain devoted to his

56 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

parents at home and respectful The scale of India and China Gupta Tanvi. Du Tian Wei. I am of his elders outside it.” The extends through both the past young, and I am new, and that sentence reminded me of my and the present. Each place means that to determine who I curved back when we visited forces confrontation with largely am, I must examine my family my grandparents’ friends in unbroken roots branching back closely. In Mandarin class, I gave India. I would sit folding my to the beginning. I’ve learned presentations on the importance hands, bowing my head, and to recognize it in small things— of sweeping your ancestors’ they would place their wrinkled a dilapidated temple or a rice graves. Later, I went home hands on my shoulder. They field with a single farmer—that to where my grandparents’ whispered, “God bless you, spark a sudden, destabilizing pictures are displayed in effigy. child.” I never knew that was déjà vu. These things have been Even as both countries undergo from Analects. happening last generation and unprecedented migrations from We traced Confucius’s two generations before that and rural areas to cities, everyone footsteps a few days later up ten more before that. Maybe remembers the village they Taishan (Mount Tai), one of the farmer turns and takes out came from. You take along dust the holiest mountains in China. a smartphone. There have been on your feet and a family name. A total of 72 emperors over so many people before me Because in a place of over a time, up till and including Mao here, and there will be so many billion individuals, you are not Zedong, have summited the after. Whether reading the one: You are also everyone who peak. Each left an inscription— Romance of the Three Kingdoms came before you-their sacrifice a poem, a pithy quote or a or the Mahabharata,how can and courage. India and China both grand declaration—behind, anyone determine that their host a vastness of the past and engraved by the stairs in stories—their morals, their loves, of the present, but it is important careful calligraphy. Every step their losses—are new? Every to build links between the two. took us back a millennium, and tale has been told before, and These links are in people and the next step forward again. these countries are vast enough families and a responsibility to This past was new to me. But to foster them all. each other that often translates as the depth was as familiar as a But this means that every old duty but should more accurately drive through Delhi’s Chandni tale must be told again. From be seen as love. Chowk neighborhood-the Red my mother and my Chinese Love isn’t always expressed Fort and the tangled electricity teacher, I learned to hold my the same, but it’s a vocabulary lines beside it. heritage in high regard. Dutta that is shared everywhere.

I recently had the pleasure New Connections of hosting a Chinese student via the international exchange Saksham Khetan program AIESEC. The month Age: 20 that my guest Alysa stayed Occupation: Student at my home in Mumbai was Birth place: Akola among the finest learning Current city of residence: Mumbai experiences for me in terms of

57 YOUNG VOICES

understanding Chinese culture people were part of one big comparable pomp. India has and lifestyle. family. Today, thanks to cultural Diwali, Holi, Eid and more, while We referred to our guest exchange programs like AIESEC, China observes festivals like as Alysa, her English name, the younger generations from Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat because her birth name seemed India and China are discovering Festival and the Lantern Festival. too difficult for us to pronounce. new ways to connect with each The moral values and ethics Despite language barriers, Alysa other. that India and China share got along very well with my Food is a popular area for are similar in nature and family and within a couple of bonding. India and China have practice. Both cultures are days, felt like one of us. a staggering variety of culinary heavily family-driven and As we got to know Alysa delights across the length and place considerable value on better and vice versa, we breadth of these countries, much the concept of multicultural realized that although we speak more so than anywhere else upbringing. Education is of the different languages, Indians in the world. Rice, vegetables, utmost importance in both and the Chinese have a similar meat and potatoes are used societies, with kids pushed to approach to a lot of things such in abundance in their dishes. great lengths to excel in final as attitudes towards family and And while both have their own exams (respectively, grade cultural values, preferences in specific spices, the amount of 10 Board Exams in India and food and even sharply honed detail that goes into producing the Gaokao in China). Along bargaining skills. I learned incredibly well-rounded flavors with this pressure to succeed, that just like how Indians give is a common link between their another unfortunate common envelopes filled with money to kitchens. trait is the belief that sons the younger members of the And how can I not mention are more important than family on special occasions, the tea here? Called chai in Hindi daughters. Chinese have a similar tradition and cha in Mandarin, the India and China are home to of gifting “red envelopes.” beverage is virtually the elixir of various sects living in harmony, It shouldn’t be surprising life for people in both countries. speaking many languages and that people from India and Cultural exchange between dialects, making both countries China share a number of India and China has been taking vibrant melting-pots. Meeting similarities. While they have place since ancient times. Alysa was a window into a definitely had differences over Several Chinese philosophers world that is so like my own, the years, the two neighbors such as Xuanzang visited India despite superficial differences. have also maintained decades and documented the rich By the end of her stay, Alysa and decades of economic, experiences of their travels. started referring to us as her political and cultural exchange. Almost all of the works of second family and still keeps A popular slogan during the Rabindranath Tagore, among the in constant touch through 1950s was “Hindi-Chini Bhai most influential figures in Indian video calls. She learned some Bhai” (literally “the Indians and history, have been translated Hindi words from us during her the Chinese are brothers”). It into Chinese. India may be brief stay, but I can safely say aptly described the bond shared known as “the land of festivals,” that she gave us a lot more by the two great civilizations but the Chinese celebrate just than we could teach or and emphasized that their as many, if not more, with give her.

58 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Experiencing Sino- this particular act, dancers play I can clearly feel the delicate Indian Culture multiple roles, telling mythical emotions of Chinese and Indian Through Dance folk stories with their body cultures and how alike they movements, gestures and are, in the process of learning Du Juan expressions. The love story their respective dances, so that Age: 29 of Krishna and Radha, for I can better grasp the emotional Occupation: Overseas Student example, is the most famous of dimension of Indian classical Birth place: Beijing, China Indian classical dances. Drawing stories, such as the shyness, Current city of residence: London, UK from the creativity of numerous vexation, and tender affection Indian artists, it expresses the of eastern women, and full range of thought and feeling depict them in a natural way common to lovers, such as joy, perceivable to the audience. grief, naughtiness, expectation, During Abhinaya, scenes disappointment and nostalgia, from a traditional agrarian so carefully elaborated that lifestyle are also depicted, several emotional changes are such as fetching water, expressed in a single glance. sieving millet, milking cows According to ethnographic and playing in rivers. It easily studies, Indian dance, along strikes a chord among Chinese with other traditional arts such audiences who share a similar as Indian literature and painting, traditional way of life. exquisitely describe love, I have been studying Indian including love between couples, classical dance for six years. I am a learner and performer Prem (physical intimacy) and My learning and performing of Kathak and Odissi, both Bhakti (spiritual devotion). experience in China, India and major forms of Indian classical As a non-Indian, it seems the U.K. shaped my particular dances, as well as a Chinese to me that the most difficult understanding about the classical and modern dancer. part of becoming an excellent connections between Indian As I see it, although Chinese Indian classical dancer is classical dance and Chinese and dances seem to be restrained grasping the essence of the Indian dance culture. Compared and Indian dances vivacious, performance and drawing in the with the emphasis of Chinese both belong to Asian culture audiences of different countries classical dance on bodily and share an agrarian cultural with acting that transcends expression, Indian classical background, so they have cultural and ethnic differences. dance is more emotional and many things in common. Talent alone is not enough to narrative. I think this is why There is a section in Indian achieve this objective; what is dances and pantomimes are classical dances called more important is a profound both called Natyam (dance) Abhinaya, featuring highly understanding of Indian in the perspective of Indian intricate movements. During culture. As a Chinese dancer classical performing arts.

59 COLUMN

Possibilities for a Non-Alienated Life

By Ling Min

It would be wrong and even ludicrous to judge a city’s social development level based on its appearance.

t the end of 2018, object, and from the specific to serve capital. I flew to India to perspective of mankind, Dube divided the Biennale attend the annual it refers to the situation of into two parts: First, there conference of human production working was an exhibition present- theA International Biennale against humans themselves. ing an artistic “symphony,” Association in Kochi. At the It means that humans are composed of influential and time, the southeastern Indian supposed to be the masters of realistic works on diverse coastal city was also hosting labor, tools and products, but thoughts and ideas. Then, the the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. often they lose their freedom other part aimed to create a During my stay in Kochi, I and becomes slaves to labor carefree but powerful space visited most museums and and the tools of production. for dialogue, where everyone galleries involved in the This is the process and conse- could be a curator and express Biennale as well as the city’s quence of alienation. Human their own ideas. lanes, streets and harbor. alienation is obvious, partic- Perhaps due to my unfamil- While feeling astonished ularly, in an industrialized, iarity with local discourse, and shocked by what I saw capital-dominated society. in the city, I began to ponder Anita Dube, curator of the theme of the 2018 Kochi- the Biennale, believes that a Muziris Biennale: Possibilities non-alienated world is one for a Non-Alienated Life. in which people embrace So, what does “non-alien- each other, share wisdom and ated” mean? To pinpoint beauty, and feel connections an answer, we must first with others, instead of engag- understand the meaning of ing in hostility. In her eyes, “alienation.” As a philosophi- the real world is now full of cal term, “alienation” refers to hostility. If we want a better _ separation and estrangement life on this planet, we must A work displayed at the 2018 Kochi- between the subject and the embrace modesty and refuse Muziris Biennale. by Ling Min

60 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE history and culture, I didn’t at first understand Dube’s intentions and harbored reservations about the Biennale’s theme. Moreover, the city of Kochi confused me. A port city with a history of more than 500 years, Kochi had been an important trading hub between East and West in the past. Portuguese, Spanish, British and Chinese merchant fleets once frequented it. However, the run-down appearance of Kochi does not match its long and rich history, with its narrow dirt _ roads, dilapidated bungalows Artists participating in the Student’s Biennale pose for a group photo. by Ling Min and undeveloped beaches. Yet it would be wrong, and even ridiculous, to judge a of aesthetics rooted in the me to better understand city’s social development based Indian experience. the intentions of the Kochi on its appearance. The works Just as the Kochi Biennale Biennale Foundation and displayed at the 2018 Kochi- Foundation noted, the Kochi- Curator Anita Dube. The Muziris Biennale, as well as Muziris Biennale aims to organizers had wanted to interactive activities presented create a new cosmopolitan and bring world cultural trends to by the organizer, were excep- modernist language, based on India, while demonstrating tional and diverse. In fact, I was the history and realities of the India to the outside world amazed by the strong indig- ancient trading port of Kochi. to explore possibilities for a enous flavor of the Biennale, With this purpose in mind, non-alienated life in India. the close connections of the the Biennale used many exist- Compared to the Kochi- works on display with everyday ing buildings, public spaces Muziris Biennale, how much life, local people’s enthusiastic and historical sites, including do the many Chinese art exhi- participation, and their unique disused industrial facilities, bitions—usually held in fine, insights into contemporary art. office buildings, residences, imposing venues and attended The Kochi-Muziris Biennale lanes and even abandoned by VIPs from all over the is the largest contemporary structures as the venues to world—really contribute to art event in India. The 2018 display art works. More impor- demonstrating the country’s Biennale expanded to cover an tantly, many works have close own culture? Are those exhi- area including not only Kochi, relations with the venues in bitions not slightly removed but also Muziris and nearby which they were exhibited. from the general public? It is islands, hence its full name It was easy for such works to certainly worth spending a “Kochi-Muziris Biennale.” inspire a tacit sense of identity moment or two pondering on According to the Kochi Biennale among local residents, thus these questions. Foundation, Kochi is one of only connecting to history and a few Indian cities to continue traditions while emitting a to preserve diversified cultural strong contemporary appeal. traditions of the precolonial era. On the flight back to China, The organizers of the Biennale I read through the textual The author is vice president of the Interna- believe it is necessary to review materials that I had taken tional Association of Art Critics and member the past to develop a new genre from Kochi, which enabled of the International Biennale Association.

61 BOOKS

have long been friendly to each other they experienced. It provides a rare historically. The written history of opportunity for us to get to know exchanges between the two countries, about the life of students studying though they are separated by abroad. Many Chinese students mountains and rivers, dates back over indicate that only when you finally two thousand years. The two peoples arrived in India and savored the learn from each other in the long span country deep in your heart and used of history, which has enriched each your own footprints to measure other’s magnificent cultural treasures this land, can you change your and created the “twin precious jades” stereotyped thinking and impressions

COMPILING COMMITTEE 9 7 8 9 3 8 7 2 3 0 1 7 0 of Eastern civilizations. that you used to have about India. People-to-people exchanges are the In terms of establishing friendly COMPILING COMMITTEE most colorful and significant chapter in relations between China and India, Fond Memories on the Campus: Sino-Indian history. This book includes it is extremely important for the two Stories of Chinese and Indian some jottings and impressions by countries to strengthen ideological Exchange Students Chinese and Indian scholars and and cultural exchanges among their students during their stays in India populace in order to understand Compiling Committee / Editors-in-Chief and China respectively. From different their respective counterpart in a real GBD Books angles, the book reflects what they comprehensive, rational and objective First Indian Edition 2019 saw and heard, how they came to way. Those Indian students who have realize, what cultural shocks in various been to China, they have also gained China and India are world famous degrees they were confronted with much understanding. They have a civilizations, both of which have during their study period. It vividly more direct of Chinese culture and of nurtured their respective millenniaold reflects their joys and sorrows of the great accomplishments made by ancient cultures. The two countries life, shows all sorts of flavours in life the Chinese people in recent decades.

A Visit to Buddhist Shrines of India

By Jiang Yili

During the early springs of footsteps of the Buddha on a PALACE RUINS IN THE TWILIGHT the year 1992, while studying tour to famous Buddhist shrines, On 23rd February afternoon, we as a foreign student in Delhi mountains and temples of India. the group of 18 people boarded University of India, I was along It was a really fruitful trip which train and left Delhi, we reached with some scholars from the left a great impression on me. Lucknow, the capital of Uttar department of Buddhist studies Till date whenever I recalls about Pradesh at night and stayed at of Delhi University had the those memories, scenes of the Bharata temple. Next day we fortune of embarking upon the past leap before my eyes. started our journey to Lumbini on

62 CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE a rented jeep. Lumbini is currently being foreigners (scholars from Facing these broken walls and located in Nepal, distanced 20 China, South Korea, Japan and Sri ruins, imagining the scene of kms from the Nepal-India border Lanka) couldn’t cross the boundary Siddharth Gautama renouncing his and it’s the birth place of Lord due to visa problem. We had family on a star lit night, one can’t Buddha. According to the legend, to turn back and head towards help but feel emotional. In the queen Maha Maya, wife of King Kapilavastu, as the dusk rolled out present world where people are Suddhodana, got pregnant after we could see the remains of the giving more and more importance seeing a white elephant in her palace in the far distance. to material comforts, seeking dream, after that according to the The palace of Kapilavastu is the personal fame and gains, how local traditions she returned to her place where Gautama spent his many can resist the temptations of maternal house before delivery childhood and youth days. Here he the worldly customs? time. While passing through enjoyed a life of extravagance and On the early morning of 26th Lumbini garden, the queen decided pleasure, but his soul was time and February we reached Kushinagar to take rest in the garden. The again entangled by pain. In the end and stayed in a Sri Lankan temple. garden had a variety of birds and after being disillusioned with the Kushinagar is the place where the dense trees. Queen Maha Maya mortal world, he left his wife and Buddha attained nirvana and there suddenly started to feel uneasy, child, renounced his family and the are many temples built here. Back under the trees and without any world and embarked upon a journey in the history, eminent monks from problem she gave birth to Gautama to seek the true meaning of life. China such as Fa Xian and Xuan who was later known as Buddha. The once prosperous and Zang have visited this place to We reached the Nepal-India magnificent palace is now reduced pay homage. Presently there are border in the evening. Nepal and to ruins under the moon and numerous temples built by various India have mutual visa exemption, the breeze. Under the misty countries in the city, each having its hence the Indian scholars could moonlight, one can vaguely see own unique style. There is also a cross the border smoothly and go the grandeur of the palace that Chinese Buddhist temple here but to Lumbini, but unfortunately we existed during its golden days. its abbot is a Vietnamese nun.

_ The ruins of Nalanda University in Bihar, India. IC

63 BOOKS

THE PLACE OF THE BUDDHA’S side, Buddha is seen having a were talking, the bus had already NIRVANA— KUSHINAGAR smiling face, representing the joy stopped at the gate of Nalanda According to the legend, while after attaining enlightenment. temple. Nalanda temple is India’s the Buddha was travelling from most famous Buddhist temple. Vaishali to Rajgir in order to TOURTO NALANDA It is said that King Shakraditya of preach there, on the way he got On the evening of 27th February, the Gupta Empire built this temple infected with a disease, at last we boarded a train and started after the nirvana of Buddha, it he came to a dense forest of sal our journey, at around 3 am in the was a place where meritocratic trees and peacefully attained early morning we reached a small people gathered together and nirvana. As far as the reason of town of Bihar, after taking a little also converging point for eminent infection is concerned, some rest at the station we started off monks from different parts of the say that he felt uncomfortable for Vaishali on a medium sized bus world. Monks such as Nagarjuna, after eating the meat of wild that we had rented and reached Deva, Asanga, Vasubandhu etc. all boar which was presented by after almost an hour. The sky was had studied and preached here. a hunter, some say that he ate still dark during that time, under Chinese monks such as Xuan Zang rice porridge. I asked an Indian the misty moonlight we could see and Yi Jing had also come to study monk present there, he also didn’t the lion head pillar of King Ashok’s here. The scale of this temple is dare to jump to any conclusion. reigning time which still stood grand, Xuan Zang once described Although, the Buddha’s old age tall in the ruins. After spending it in his book like this: “Precious of 80 years, tiredness due to the a few minutes, we continued on terraces ranged like stars in the sky journey and the fierce climate our journey forward. There was and jade storeyed pavilions spired might all have led to him getting wind entering inside the bus from like lofty peaks. The temples stood infected. The vast sal tree forest all sides, a light sweater couldn’t high in the mist, and the shrines of that time no more exists stop the spring cold. I could feel hovered over the rosy clouds. now, there are only a few tall my entire body shivering in the Breeze and fog rose from the sal trees standing there in the cold and I couldn’t sleep due to the doors and windows, and the sun spring and a few residential bone chilling cold. While passing and moon shone alternately at the houses nearby. A few kilometers through a small town, we got off eaves of the buildings.”. This world away is the place where the the bus and had two cups of hot famous temple was later destroyed funeral rites of the Buddha was milk tea which made us feel warm by Muslim invaders. What remains carried out during that time, again. After getting back into the today is only vast spread ruins of now it is a huge mounded stupa bus I soon fell asleep. Suddenly, I broken walls and structures of red with cluster of weeds on the was awaken by an uproar, the bus color and a huge broken stupa top. About 1 kilometer from this had stopped. There were two little which showcases the vicissitudes stupa there is a nirvana temple, kids who had climbed up to the of life to the people. Within the inside the hall of the temple top of the bus and were trying to broken stupa there is a huge stone there is a big gold plated statue steal our luggage but got caught pillar which had got engraved of the sleeping Buddha, one by someone on the bus. Because lifelike figurines of Buddha in can see different expressions of all of us on the bus were scholars different poses and different the Buddha through different and we were in a hurry to reach expressions. In front of the ruins angles. Looking from the front, our destination, also we wanted there is a museum which has got the Buddha seems to be serene to maintain peace hence let go of exquisite figurines, bronze articles and tranquil, representing the those two small thieves. and seals on display which were quietness after he attained We reached Nalanda in the excavated from this site. nirvana. Looking from the left afternoon. From a distance we side, both the eyebrows of the could see a grand Chinese style Buddha are slightly wrinkled, architecture, we were informed showing the condition of pain, by the Indian scholar that it is the Dr. Jiang Yili, 1990-1993, Doctor of as if he is feeling pity for all the Xuan Zang Memorial Hall which Philosophy Department Delhi University. living beings struggling in the sea was financed and built by the This article is excerpted from the book Fond Memories on the Campus: Stories of of sorrow. Looking from the right Chinese government. While we Chinese and Indian Exchange Students