‘Emerging From Low Point’: Chinese Media Emphasises Mutual Benefit, Shared Growth With India
A Chinese state-run editorial noted that China-India relations are gradually improving and highlighted the importance of practical cooperation and mutual benefit. It also urged both countries to build mutual trust.
China’s ties with India are steadily emerging from a low phase, and both countries have a long history of cooperation with complementary economies, an editorial from the Chinese state-run publication Global Times said on Wednesday.
The article further pointed out that it is logical for both nations to make use of each other’s strengths and work towards mutual benefit and shared progress. It added that China places high importance on cooperation with India and is one of India’s most significant trading partners.
“China-India relations are at a crucial juncture, gradually recovering from a ‘low point’,” it stated.
“India and China share a long-standing relationship of cooperation, and their economies are complementary. China deeply values its partnership with India and is among India’s key trade partners,” the editorial said.
“It makes greater sense to capitalise on each other’s strengths, focus on practical collaboration, and aim for mutual benefit, win-win results, and shared prosperity,” the opinion piece said.
The Chinese editorial also pointed out that since the start of 2025, “both sides have used the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations to enhance communication and build trust.”
This has led to a gradual improvement in ties and positive developments, it noted.
“Facts have shown that a sound and stable development of China-India ties serves the shared interests of both countries.”
“Both nations should deepen political trust, manage differences appropriately, increase areas of consensus, broaden cooperation channels, and work together to write a new chapter in friendly cooperation. This would contribute significantly to peace, stability, and growth within both countries, the region, and the wider world,” the article added.
It also stated that as a rising global power, India is facing certain industrial and economic challenges which may not be resolved quickly.
“As an emerging global player, India faces difficulties in its industrial and economic growth, such as outdated technology, limited financial resources, and weak infrastructure — all of which are hard to overcome in the short term,” the article noted.
“In addition, some investment-related policies and practices have caused recurring hurdles for foreign investors in India, at times giving the country a reputation as a ‘graveyard for foreign investment’,” it added.
This opinion comes even as US President Donald Trump is urging China and India to stop purchasing oil from Russia and thereby stop indirectly funding the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. However, nations importing Russian oil do not appear inclined to halt the practice.
Trump has been raising this concern as he attempts to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into agreeing to a ceasefire.
Since January 2023, China has been the largest buyer of Russian energy, following the European Union’s embargo. China has purchased around $219.5 billion worth of Russian oil, gas, and coal, followed by India at $133.4 billion, and Turkey at $90.3 billion.
On August 5, a Bloomberg report suggested that Trump’s attacks on India could undo decades of diplomatic efforts with New Delhi and push the country closer to China.
“Trump’s threats to raise tariffs further only make the idea of compromise more appealing. These threats follow the collapse of trade deal negotiations and Trump’s increasing rapport with Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir,” the Bloomberg article stated.
“The India-China relationship remains fragile, but it reflects the broader shift in global diplomacy, as the US adopts a more confrontational stance with its traditional allies,” it added.
“If Trump turns his back on India, New Delhi may view rapprochement with China as its best available option,” the report noted.
