China and India Tuesday agreed in Beijing that joint efforts should be made to work for an early solution to the border issue.

In his meeting with visiting Foreign Secretary of India Shyam Saran, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said that it is in the fundamental interests of both countries to solve the border issue at an early date, adding that China and India should go a step further to explore the framework for the solution to the border issue.

Echoing Tang's views, Saran said that India is also willing to explore ways for an early solution to the border issue from the perspective of strategic cooperation.

Tang said that China and India are big developing countries which are facing a similar mission of developing their economy and improving people's living standards.

Noting that the two countries have many in common, Tang said that China attaches great importance to building a friendly neighborhood with India.

"The announcement of building a strategic and cooperative partnership by both governments last year indicates Sino-Indian relations have entered a new phase of development," Tang said.

Noting that the year 2006 is a Sino-Indian year of friendship, Tang expressed the hope that both countries should make concerted efforts to push bilateral relations to a new high.

Saran agreed with Tang's remarks, saying that the development and prosperity of the two largest developing countries have made positive contributions to world peace and development.

Heading a delegation to attend the second Sino-Indian Strategic Dialogue from Jan. 9 to 12, Saran on Monday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, and Vice Foreign Minister and Chinese special representative for Sino-Indian border issue Dai Bingguo, and held talks with Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei on Monday and Tuesday.

Saran and Wu exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern and bilateral ties. They have reached a broad consensus.

Source: Xinhua