Chinese Ambassador to India calls on Assam CM

Stating that both Assam and Vietnam must explore opportunities of business and economic activities, Chief Minister Sonowal said since there is geographic proximity of the state with the neighbouring country they can be natural ally in furthering business interests which can be beneficial to people of Assam and China.       

Seeking cooperation from the Chinese Ambassador in sending a delegation from the state to study the successful management of Huang Ho River, Sonowal said that managing Brahmaputra River is a big concern for the state and state would be benefited by learning from the Chinese how the Huang Ho has been turned into a resource from a problem.           
Responding to the Chinese Ambassador’s request to re-open the Stilwell Road and thereby re-establish historical trade links with China, Sonowal said that the Central Government have taken keen interest developing the Northeast region as major trade hub of South East Asia under the Act East Policy and opening road ways with the neighbouring countries is high on the Centre’s agenda.
        

The Chinese Ambassador urged the Assam CM to consider setting up ties with the Kunming and Yunan province as both these provinces are in geographical proximity to the state and he extended invitation to the Chief Minister to the Trade Summit to be held in Kunming in June this year.          

Accepting his invitation, Sonowal informed the Chinese ambassador that the State Government is going to organise a Global Business Summit in November this year and he urged the Ambassador to facilitate participation of Chinese companies in the Summit in a big way.
         

Saying that Guwahati – Kunming road connectivity would open up a huge opportunity for the region as well as the country to achieve high growth in trade and business, the Assam CM said that Chinese expertise in building bullet trains and river dredging for plying big cargo ships in Guangzhou River would have to be mastered by India for achieving progress in these sectors.          

Evincing interest in developing sports science and sport medicine with Chinese help for preparing world-class athletes in the state, Sonowal said that that increased people to people contact and cultural exchanges would bring the people of Assam and China closer and facilitate an environment for growth and prosperity.

Referring to Chinese traveller and scholar Hiuen Tsang’s historic visit to the state and region Sonowal said that the age old ties between China and Assam must be revived for scripting the future growth story.

Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, Legal Adviser to the Chief Minister Shantanu Bharali were present among others in the meeting.

Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador had visited the one horned rhinoceros habited Pobitora wildlife sanctuary in Morigaon district.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)