In 1962, India launched military assaults along the China-India border, China was then forced into wars with India over the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" and Aksai Chin. It ended when China declared a unilateral ceasefire without territory demands after Indian troops were defeated. China's People's Liberation Army withdrew to 20 km behind the prewar Line of Actual Control, to express goodwill toward India and create a good atmosphere for resuming bilateral talks.

Goodwill measures

Over the years, China has taken a series of measures to advance negotiations. First, Chinese leaders sought to repair bilateral relations with India. In 1970, Chairman Mao Zedong met with the Indian chargé d'affaires in China, stressing that the two sides should ease tensions and remain friends. Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping pointed out in February 1979 that China and India should seek common ground while reserving differences and try to settle the boundary issue through peaceful negotiation.

Second, China has been working to stabilize the Line of Actual Control. In the 1990s, the two sides withdrew sentries along the eastern section that were considered to be too close to each other. To maintain peace and stability in the border area, they signed two agreements in 1993 and 1996 and organized a group of experts to implement practical measures.

Finally, China has been active in restarting and advancing peaceful negotiations with India. The two sides resumed boundary negotiations in December 1981. When Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China seven years later, the Chinese Government said the two countries should actively develop bilateral ties in other areas so as to create a good atmosphere and conditions for settlement of the boundary issue. They agreed to set up a joint work group at the vice foreign minister level. In June 2003, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Indian counterpart each appointed a special representative for demarcation work.

During Wen's visit to India in April 2005, the two sides signed an agreement on political settlement of the boundary issue, setting guidelines and principles. In the agreement, China and India affirmed their readiness to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary issue through equal and friendly negotiations.

They agreed that an early settlement of the boundary question would serve the basic interests of the two countries and should thus be pursued as a strategic objective. They expressed their commitment to the mechanism of special representatives for seeking political settlement of the boundary question in the context of their long-term interests and the overall bilateral relations. Until a final settlement is reached, the two sides have agreed to continue to make joint efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the border area in accordance with the agreements signed in 1993 and 1996. The two sides also confirmed that the joint working group should continue to seek an early clarification and confirmation of the Line of Actual Control as the discussions between the Special Representatives continue.

In addition, the agreement requires the two countries to complete the process of exchanging maps indicating their respective perceptions of the entire alignment of the Line of Actual Control on the basis of already agreed parameters, with the objective of arriving at a common understanding of the alignment.

For many years, China has settled boundary issues with its neighbors based on equality and justice. China insists on following the same guidelines in dealings with the border issue with India. The government intends to develop a long-term and stable relationship with India marked by friendliness and mutual cooperation, which will also create conditions for settling the boundary issue once and for all.

Solution to the boundary issue

The two sides should adhere to the following principles when negotiating a solution to the China-India boundary issue:

First, the two parties should base their negotiations on cooperation and mutual benefit, and consider each other's strategic demands, national feelings, actual difficulties and the practical situation along the border. Only by considering the situation from each other's perspective can they communicate effectively. Both sides should make efforts to deepen their bilateral relations so as to realize their strategic interests on national security, economic development and international position.

Second, China and India should strengthen high-level exchanges and develop a regular exchange mechanism as soon as possible. In recent years, high-level Chinese and Indian leaders have visited each other more frequently, which is a positive sign. The two sides can further enhance common understanding and strengthen communication through wider and more frequent exchanges.

Third, the two Asian countries must deepen their communications so as to avoid conflict and promote mutual trust. There is still a market in India for the so-called "China threat" theory, which reflects the Indians' worry and suspicion about China left over from the 1962 war. Therefore, China and India should be frank with each other and increase military transparency. The focus should be on erasing suspicions and promoting mutual trust.

Fourth, the two countries should increase people-to-people exchanges and cultural understanding. The contact range must be expanded. Strengthening exchanges at various levels will not only boost cooperation and mutual assistance, but also increase mutual trust and dispel suspicions.