On September 9, 2008, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi delivered a speech on China-India relations titled "For Peace and Friendship, Win-Win Cooperation and Common Development" at a meeting held by the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Institute of Chinese Studies in New Delhi.

Yang said China and India are the two biggest developing countries in the world. Both countries need concentrated efforts for self-development as well as international and regional environments of peace and stability. He said there is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and India. "What we have are broad common interests. We are partners, not rivals.” He said that China-India peace and friendship, win-win cooperation and common development not only serve the fundamental interest of both countries and their peoples, but also have a significant impact on peace and development of the world, which, he said, will profoundly change the outlook of Asia and the world at large. The relations between India and China are more than bilateral ties and are of global and strategic significance. “We should view and approach our relations from a strategic and long-term perspective,” said Yang.

Yang said with the support and promotion of the leaders of both countries, China-India relations have shown a sound momentum of all-round development in recent years. The relationship is now at its best period in history and is facing important opportunities for further development, he said. To keep pushing forward China-India strategic cooperative partnership, Yang proposed that efforts be stepped up in the following five areas: increase exchanges and enhance strategic mutual trust, boost economic and trade cooperation for mutual benefits and win-win results, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges for a firm social basis, strengthen multilateral cooperation for common interests, address each other's concerns and properly handle differences.

Yang briefed on China’s achievements in the past three decades since the reform and opening up, pointing out that China, as a developing nation, still needs long-standing hard work to build a well-off society on a full-fledged basis. China will adhere to its path of peaceful development, relentlessly follow the open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win results and pursue a development of peace, openness and cooperation. As China and India face the common task of developing economy, deepening reform and achieving sustainable development, there is strong complementarity between the economic growths of the two countries. Yang called on both sides to learn from each other for mutual benefits and win-win progress.

"Today, our relations stand at a new starting point in history. Without friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and India, there would be no development and prosperity of our respective countries, no harmony and rejuvenation of Asia, and no peace and progress of the world," Yang said. He suggested both countries join hands to write new chapters for China-India friendly cooperation.

Shri Ashok Kumar, Acting Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs and Vinod Khanna, Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chinese Studies, said in their speeches that India and China are important neighbors to each other and are playing a greater role in the world. It is necessary for both sides to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, they said, expressing hope that India-China strategic cooperative partnership will keep moving forward.

More than 300 Indian people from all walks of life attended the meeting.