|
Sarkaritel.com News and
Features
Travel Trade Between India & China Growing Says Ambika Soni
New Delhi, April 09, 2008
China is India’s biggest trade partner and this
partnership is growing stronger day by day. Stating this at
the Incredible India Evening in China yesterday, the Tourism
and Culture Minister Smt. Ambika Soni said that both India and
China are in the midst of rapid transformation. The
development agenda has taken centre stage. The systems are
different but people in both countries are united in their
aspirations for a better future. Last year alone, more than
half a million visitors were exchanged between the two
countries. This number is relatively insignificant in view of
the combined 40% population of the world. However, new
beginning will see the increased participation of
entrepreneurs of both the countries from the travel trade
industry in travel marts and road shows.
Here is the full text of the Minister’s speech :
“I am very happy to be in the great city of Beijing today for
the Incredible India evening. I extend a very warm welcome to
all our friends here; especially to our Chief Guest, His
Excellency, Shao Qiwei, Chairman, China National Tourism
Administration.
China is our largest neighbor. Our bilateral relations are
poised to enter a vibrant and dynamic phase. Both India and
China are in the midst of rapid transformation. The
development agenda has taken centre stage. Our systems are
different but people in both countries are united in their
aspirations for a better future. It was Prime of India Dr.
Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao who spoke of
their shared vision of the 21st Century as an important
milestone in the evolution of the relations between our two
countries. This continuum has resulted to our mutual
advantage. China, today, is India’s biggest trade partner and
this partnership is growing stronger by the day.
She said, this year, India is celebrating 60 years of its
independence. India’s independence was a major landmark in
world history. It heralded freedom movements in Asia and
Africa to which India actively lent its support through out
the 20th century. India demonstrated to the world how Mahatma
Gandhi’s philosophy of non violence and Satyagrah could break
the shackles of colonial rule.
She said, India China relationship is unique in many ways. Our
historical and civilizational links naturally bond us
together. Flourishing exchanges between our two countries over
a period of time have enriched our knowledge and understanding
of life and its dimensions. Today it is the determination of
the leadership of our two countries to rediscover these
historical ties and revitalize them in the present day
context, that has enabled us to take several initiatives to
further strengthen our cultural and tourism linkages.
• It was in this context that the year 2007 was declared as
the India –China Friendship Year Through Tourism.
• Shuan Tsang Memorial was completed in Nalanda in 2007
• Treasures of Ancient India exhibition was mounted in Beijing
and three other cities of China.
• Indian style Buddhist shrine in Luoyang in Henan province in
China is almost complete.
• The process of the redevelopment of Nalanda as a major
centre of learning with the establishment of an international
university on the basis of regional cooperation is on.
• The two countries will be organisisng Festivals in India and
China in 2010
• India participated in the Kunming Tourism Fair in November
2007
• China National Tourism Administration opened its office in
Delhi last year.
And today we had the pleasure of opening India Tourist Office
in Beijing.
• Through this India Tourism Office, we hope to reach out to
our Chinese friends across the country and enable them to
visit and discover India. The synergy between our Embassy of
India and India Tourist Office in Beijing would further
facilitate smooth travel of Chinese tourists going to India.
As you must be aware we have put in place Incredible India
website in Chinese. Our tourist literature has also been
translated into the Chinese language.
Last year alone, more than half a million visitors were
exchanged between our two countries. These numbers in a
relative sense are statistically insignificant when our
combined populations are well over 40% of the world’s
population. But new beginnings have been made; there will be
increasing participation of our entrepreneurs from the travel
trade industry in travel marts and road shows.
We all know connectivity is critical to tourism. It is good to
know that weekly flight connections between India and China
have grown over the period of time. Major metropolitan cities
in our two countries are well connected by air. We are hopeful
that India and China will come even closer to each other on
the wings of tourism. The magic of India will have a lasting
impact on visitors, which is why a visit to India is often
described as an experience of a lifetime!
In recent years tourism has grown in India. Its catalyst role
in the economic growth is being widely recognized. We are
aiming to put in place high standard tourism infrastructure
across the country. Hereto we feel there is ample scope for
participation of Chinese entrepreneurship.
This evening my colleagues and I recall most vividly the
beautiful and enthralling performance put up by the Chinese
artists under the aegis of China National Tourism
Administration in New Delhi last year in the presence of his
Excellency of Shao Qiwei. We today have an opportunity of
reciprocating the same.
Today’s cultural show will provide a glimpse of the wonder and
the charm of India that is timeless and eternal. This
presentation has been choreographed by a dedicated team led by
the renowned Indian dancer, Ms. Leela Samson, supported by
India’s national akademi of music ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi’.
Besides Leela, we have Aditi Mangaldas, PV Balakrishnan,
Preeti Patil and Aruna Mohanty and their teams and so many
others who have contributed to this cultural programme.
May this evening mark the commencement of your discovery of
Incredible India. I extend my good wishes to our friends in
China on this special occasion. May the friendship between the
two countries grow stronger and deeper.”
E-Mail :
newseditor@sarkaritel.com |
