Sonia in Beijing -red carpet welcome
Chinese leadership today rolled out the red carpet for Congress President Sonia Gandhi assuring India that it attaches high importance to friendly ties between the two countries.
Gandhi, who described her visit here as a "milestone" in Sino-India relations, met Chinese President Hu Jintao, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), Premier Wen Jiabao and Minister of the International Department of the CPC, Wang Jiarui.
In a rare honour, 60-year-old Gandhi, who is accompanied by her son Rahul Gandhi among others, became the first foreign political leader to be received by the new Chinese leadership which emerged at the recently concluded CPC National Congress here on October 22.
"You are the first foreign political leader to visit China after the conclusion of the 17th National Congress, which is an indication both of us have attached to our relations," Hu told Gandhi at their meeting at the ornate Great Hall of the People here this evening.
Hu, who was recently re-elected as the party boss, said that he still had fresh memories of his last visit to India in November last year and vividly remembered the warm reception given by the Indian government and the people of India.
Congratulating Hu on his re-election, Gandhi said that she was tremendously impressed by what they have seen and the progress made by China was quite outstanding which was reflective of the vision of its leadership and the hard work of the people. PTI
"Your visit has captured the attention of the whole world," Minister of the International Department of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) Wang Jiarui said at a meeting with her.
Gandhi's visit was a "milestone" not only at the party-to-party level but also between the two countries, Wang told Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi kick started his tour meeting here on Friday with the President of the All China Youth Federation (ACYF), Yang Yue, exchanging views on youth work in China and other issues of common interest.
Significantly, Yang is holding the ACYF position, a post previously held by current Chinese President and General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), Hu Jintao.
Soon after his arrival on Thursday, Rahul had met Xu Zhihong, President of Peking University, one of the restigious higher educational institutions in China.
He and Xu exchanged ideas on higher education and the general education scenario in both nations, sources said.
Looking smart in a dark-coloured lounge suit, the 37-year-old Nehru family scion joined his mother when she met the top Chinese leadership, including President Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao, both of whom were re-elected to the powerful Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC and are expected to continue in their present government positions till 2012.
He was also present when Sonia met the Minister of the International Department of the CPC, Wang Jiarui, exchanging views on ways to promote party-to-party relations between the Congress and the CPC, the ruling Party in China since the People's Republic was founded in 1949.
Back home the Political pundits observers in New Delhi see Rahul Gandhi being groomed for bigger responsibilities in the ruling Congress party in India.
The federal Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, federal Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan and senior Congress leader Karan Singh are also part of Gandhi's entourage.
Gandhi, who described her visit here as a "milestone" in Sino-India relations, met Chinese President Hu Jintao, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), Premier Wen Jiabao and Minister of the International Department of the CPC, Wang Jiarui.
In a rare honour, 60-year-old Gandhi, who is accompanied by her son Rahul Gandhi among others, became the first foreign political leader to be received by the new Chinese leadership which emerged at the recently concluded CPC National Congress here on October 22.
"You are the first foreign political leader to visit China after the conclusion of the 17th National Congress, which is an indication both of us have attached to our relations," Hu told Gandhi at their meeting at the ornate Great Hall of the People here this evening.
Hu, who was recently re-elected as the party boss, said that he still had fresh memories of his last visit to India in November last year and vividly remembered the warm reception given by the Indian government and the people of India.
Congratulating Hu on his re-election, Gandhi said that she was tremendously impressed by what they have seen and the progress made by China was quite outstanding which was reflective of the vision of its leadership and the hard work of the people. PTI
"Your visit has captured the attention of the whole world," Minister of the International Department of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) Wang Jiarui said at a meeting with her.
Gandhi's visit was a "milestone" not only at the party-to-party level but also between the two countries, Wang told Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi kick started his tour meeting here on Friday with the President of the All China Youth Federation (ACYF), Yang Yue, exchanging views on youth work in China and other issues of common interest.
Significantly, Yang is holding the ACYF position, a post previously held by current Chinese President and General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), Hu Jintao.
Soon after his arrival on Thursday, Rahul had met Xu Zhihong, President of Peking University, one of the restigious higher educational institutions in China.
He and Xu exchanged ideas on higher education and the general education scenario in both nations, sources said.
Looking smart in a dark-coloured lounge suit, the 37-year-old Nehru family scion joined his mother when she met the top Chinese leadership, including President Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao, both of whom were re-elected to the powerful Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC and are expected to continue in their present government positions till 2012.
He was also present when Sonia met the Minister of the International Department of the CPC, Wang Jiarui, exchanging views on ways to promote party-to-party relations between the Congress and the CPC, the ruling Party in China since the People's Republic was founded in 1949.
Back home the Political pundits observers in New Delhi see Rahul Gandhi being groomed for bigger responsibilities in the ruling Congress party in India.
The federal Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, federal Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan and senior Congress leader Karan Singh are also part of Gandhi's entourage.
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