From the Readers
China, India have more similarities than differences
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-05-20 15:41
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Comment on "Bridging the China-India gap" (China Daily, May 19)
I have visited India many times, and have never experienced difficulty with the Indian people I met. There is much more in common between the two peoples culturally, than say, between a Chinese (or Indian) and an American or European. An obstacle may be the language. Many Chinese from Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong visiting India who speak English feel comfortable in their relations with Indian people. Indian people are intelligent, hardworking and family-oriented, same as the Chinese. They are also very spiritual, and show tolerance and respect for other people's faiths and beliefs. In Hong Kong, the vast majority of Indians speak Cantonese. They are successful in what they do and fit into the community seamlessly.
The people in both countries have much to gain if they can put the history of the 1962 war behind them. Unfortunately, politicians and journalists who remember the war are still unable to let go of the past. The common problem of both cultures is the question of face. The Indian press are generally not helpful in their attitude toward better India-China relations. Western powers are unwilling to accept the gradual shift of power to the East, and seek to play one against the other. An important issue affecting Indian people's perceptions of China is China's historically strong relations with Pakistan, India's traditional enemy.
There should be more people-to-people exchanges, including journalists and especially between students, and cultural exchanges. Hopefully, in time they will learn more about one another, and help build a bridge between two great civilizations and peoples.
yao, on China Daily Website