“Both Chinese and Indian civilizations contain profound ancient wisdom, which remains of extraordinary value today. Their exchange is crucial for tackling the challenges of global governance better and building a community with a shared future for mankind.” Cui Jianmin, Director-General of the Center for Promotion of Cultural Development at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) made the remark during the China-India Dialogue on Understanding China in the New Era, last Thursday in Beijing.

The event attracted Indian journalists and Chinese researchers from CASS to exchange their ideas and perspectives on China-India bilateral relations to foster better mutual understanding.

“China has been one of India’s most important neighbors,” Nayanima Basu, an editor from the Indian ABP News Live said. “I believe good countries need to have a dialogue.”

Wu Zhaoli, an associate research fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy, CASS, stressed the importance of the two countries in the Global South. “China and India, as two significant members of the Global South, are actively representing the voice of the Global South in the global order,” he said.

The Global South has become a force to be reckoned with on the global economic stage. According to Wu, the G7 countries' share of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) has declined since 2000. While holding over 40 percent of the world's total GDP in 2000, this had dropped below 30 percent by 2023, a development that must be seen in the context of the cooperation within the Global South.

Yang Xiaoping, an associate research fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy, CASS, agreed on the importance of sustainable cooperation. “Sustainable economy is the core driving force behind the establishment of such mechanisms,” she said.

Besides the economic field, Indian journalists and Chinese researchers also agreed on the potential for cooperation in high technology. According to Shubhajit Roy, a journalist with over 22 years of experience at the Indian Express, India is currently seeking to expand its technological partnerships and is looking towards establishing top-tier collaborations in technology.

Zhang Qianyu, an assistant research fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy, CASS, highlighted the common ground shared by China and India in terms of modernization development. Both China and India have large populations, which could be seen as a driving force for modernization, she said.

“When I think of China today, I see a nation that is redefining itself for the future, balancing rapid progress with a deep respect for relations,” said Shafali Nigam, a journalist from ANI News, while expressing her expectations for deepening understanding of China.

“Both of our countries have evolved from ancient legacies, family values and shared residents that have seen us through centuries of change. Let us remember that both of our nations were shaped by shared aspirations for peace, prosperity and progress,” said Nigam.

Lu Tianyue and Zhang Jun contributed to this story.