Press Release "65th Republic Day of India"
01/24/2014

The 65th Republic Day of India was celebrated in Beijing on 24th Jan 2014. Embassy of India, Beijing hosted a reception to mark this occasion. Vice President of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Mr. Li Yuanchao was the guest of honour. Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Wang Chao was also present. The event was attended by a large number of guests from the government, business, media circles, and diplomatic community.

The event also marked the official launch of the “2014: India-China Year of Friendly Exchanges”. Both the Prime Ministers had agreed to designate 2014 as the year of friendly exchanges during their meeting in New Delhi in May 2013 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Panchsheel, the Five-Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Vice President Mr. Li Yuanchao addressed the guests on the occasion. He expressed happiness to be present at the Republic Day Reception and the simultaneous launch of India-China Year of Friendly Exchanges. He extended his warm wishes to the government and the people of India. He said that India and China should work together for the happiness of two and half billion people and called for working towards taking the relationship to greater heights.

Ambassador Ashok K. Kantha in his address on the occasion, recalled 2013 as a year of rich harvest in India-China relations. He referred to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s two meetings with President Xi Jinping in 2013 and mutual exchange of visits by two Prime Ministers in the same calendar year for the first time in 59 years. He expressed his determination to build on these strong foundations. Ambassador Kantha further expressed his commitment to strengthen India-China strategic partnership.

A cultural performance of Indian dance and music by a ICCR troupe was also organized on the occasion.

Beijing
January 24, 2014