CIDCA spokesperson: China willing to work with India to jointly contribute to sustainable development and lasting prosperity of Indian Ocean region

Xu Wei, spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), took the media's question regarding India's absence from the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation.

Q: China recently debuted the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation. India was absent from the forum. Did China invite India to this event? 

A: India, a major country in the Indian Ocean region, was of course invited to this forum hosted by the CIDCA and the Yunnan provincial government. Since China became a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the country has proactively participated in related cooperation projects which facilitate common economic development among member states. This forum aims to further promote cooperation within the region, boost the blue economy, solve development hurdles and push for the accelerated achievement of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China has always adopted an open and proactive approach in carrying out cooperation with countries in the Indian Ocean region including India. China looks forward to meeting India at the next forum and working with India to jointly contribute to the sustainable development and lasting prosperity of the region.