On December 16, 2010 local time, Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao delivered an important speech entitled Shaping New Glory of Oriental Civilizations to the Indian Council of World Affairs.

Wen said that China and India are both ancient civilizations in the eastern part of the world and friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. Their population together exceeds 2.5 billion. The entire world will pay close attention and listen carefully when the two nations communicate with each other from the bottom of their hearts. China and India have been linked closely in lots of areas for thousands of years. The long history and deep impact of intercourse between the two countries are rare in the history of world civilization. As two adjacent major powers, China and India have different history, cultural background and social systems and it is unavoidable for them to have certain problems and differences. Nothing can stir us from our resolve to develop the good-neighborly friendship.

He pointed out that the world today is undergoing major development, major adjustment and major change. Peace, development and cooperation remain the theme of the times. The overall strength of developing countries is rising rapidly and multi-polarization is going deeper, but there are still some unrestful, unstable and uncertain factors in the world. It poses both key opportunities to developing countries including China and India and severe challenges to us. We should assess the situation and lose no time in broadening and deepening our converging interests and actively advance strategic cooperation and practical cooperation. Only in this way can we seize the opportunities to accelerate development, cope with challenges together, share development outcomes and jointly build a promising future. China and India have the responsibility for and the ability of fulfilling this historical mission.

He noted that the Chinese civilization and the India civilization once added radiance and beauty to each other and deeply influenced the process of human civilization. In today’s world where globalization develops deeply, the great Chinese and India nations which have suffered all kinds of hardships but strived unceasingly will definitely glow with vitality, shoulder the historical mission and join hands to shape new glory of oriental civilizations.

More than 500 Indian dignitaries attended the event, including Indian Foreign Minister Krishna and Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs Devare. The Indian Council of World Affairs is a famous Indian think tank for the study of diplomatic and international affairs.