Post-Bali, China talks of love for India to keep US away

BEIJING: The winds of change blowing in from Bali seem to have suddenly altered China’s approach toward India. The Chinese foreign ministry on Monday waxed eloquent about China-India friendship using phrases it usually reserves for its close ally, Pakistan.
"There is no power in the world that can prevent the development of bilateral relations between the two countries," said foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin soon after the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of ASEAN talks in Bali last Friday.
China’s obvious signal to New Delhi is to keep the United States out of the picture in the process of developing bilateral relationship and settling disputes that include Beijing’s opposition to ONGC’s investment in oil exploration in South China Sea. But the foreign ministry stuck to its earlier opposition to India’s entry in the oil exploration field along with Vietnamese firms in the Sea area.
"As for the discussion on South China Sea issue, China has expounded its position many times. We don’t hope to see outside forces involved in that dispute, and do not want to see foreign companies engage in activities that will undermine China’s sovereignty, rights and interests," Liu said.
Replying to a question on whether China was isolated at the ASEAN meet during discussions on South China Sea, Liu said, "I do not agree with the term ‘isolation’ . In general, the meeting centered on the theme of cooperation, development and solidarity, and has yielded practical results."
Liu said India focused on the need to "uphold the larger interest of regional peace and stability, and do more things that will contribute to mutual trust and cooperation".
"China’s position on this is clear and consistent," Liu said. "The dispute should be solved between countries directly concerned through friendly consultation and negotiation. Outside intervention or taking the issue to a multilateral forum will only complicate the issue," he said.
On business cooperation, Liu said, "The two sides enjoy great cooperation potential and we hope to continue to create favorable conditions for free flow of commodities, technology, finance and services, and encourage enterprises from both sides to invest and have contract cooperation to the benefit of both countries and peoples."
Liu quoted the Indian government as assuring China that the strategic cooperation partnership is beneficial to both countries and peoples.