China says India is a ‘partner, not rival’ after missile launch
By Chi-Chi Zhang, CNN
April 20, 2012 — Updated 0708 GMT (1508 HKT)
India joins new club with missile launch
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- China downplayed India’s successful missile launch this week
- Foreign ministry official: “We are not rivals but cooperation partners”
- Rocket has a range that could strike as far away as Shanghai
Beijing (CNN) — China downplayed India’s successful missile launch this week, saying that the two sides are not rivals but cooperating partners.
“China and India are both emerging countries, we are not rivals but cooperation partners,” said Liu Weimin, China’s foreign ministry spokesman, on Thursday. “We believe the two countries should cherish the hard-won momentum of sound bilateral relations, promote bilateral friendship and cooperation and make active contributions to regional peace and stability.”
India’s government touted the successful Thursday launch of the Agni V missile — with a range of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) capable of hitting cities as far as Shanghai — as a milestone for the country.
“This launch has given a message to the entire world that India has the capability to design, develop, build and manufacture missiles of this class, and we are today a missile power,” VK Saraswat, chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, told India’s Economic Times.
What India missile test means for region
India tests long-range rocket
The Agni V missile is a 17.5-meter-tall (75-feet), three-stage missile designed to carry a 1.5-ton nuclear warhead and is expected to be ready for use by the armed forces in 2014 following a series of tests, the report said.
India’s major media outlets touted the launch as India’s entry into an elite club of countries, including the United States and Russia. But China’s state-backed Global Times newspaper reported in an editorial that, “India shouldn’t overestimate its strength.”
“India should be clear that China’s nuclear power is stronger and more reliable,” the editorial said. “For the foreseeable future, India would stand no chance in an overall arms race with China.”
While China has not perceived India as a threat, experts say India has boosted military spending in recent years in part due to China’s increasing dominance in the Indian Ocean. The two sides fought a war in 1962 over border issues.
“This launch is a part of India’s development and modernization,” said Ye Hailin, an international relations expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. “Some reports of the perceived threats have been exaggerated and I think we should take a step back from this rather than jump to conclusions.”
23d
214
233
fbc
Part of complete coverage on
Christiane Amanpour returns this week to CNN — find out about her first shows, connect on social media and explore the archive.
April 18, 2012 — Updated 0928 GMT (1728 HKT)
Controversial photos of Pippa Middleton, sister to the Duchess of Cambridge, should act as a warning, say royal watchers.
April 17, 2012 — Updated 1830 GMT (0230 HKT)
Norway decides what to do about Anders Behring Breivik, who has admitted killing 77 people last summer.
April 19, 2012 — Updated 1201 GMT (2001 HKT)
A museum in Italy is burning 3 artworks from around the world each week to protest austerity cuts by the Italian government.
April 17, 2012 — Updated 1649 GMT (0049 HK
1000
T)
Francois Hollande is the frontrunner in the race to be next French president — but many say his position is partly down to luck.
April 17, 2012 — Updated 1410 GMT (2210 HKT)
When Afghan forces repelled insurgents at the weekend it was hailed as a success for local troops. So how many foreign soldiers remain?
How the phone hacking scandal that shut UK tabloid “News of the World” is coming to the U.S. if one lawyer has his way.
April 16, 2012 — Updated 1435 GMT (2235 HKT)
How speculation fills the void of official information about the death of a UK businessman in China.
China’s move to double the trading band of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is lauded as a step toward an internationally traded currency.
April 16, 2012 — Updated 0715 GMT (1515 HKT)
1000
For a moment we can hardly believe what is happening. Kim Jong Un addresses the public — something his father only did once.
Explore our Leading Women interactive to find the countries with most female entrpreneurs. Clue: They’re not in a G20 nation.
April 16, 2012 — Updated 1613 GMT (0013 HKT)
As French voters prepare to elect a new president, Jim Bittermann explains what the main themes of the election are — and who is likely to win.
April 13, 2012 — Updated 1433 GMT (2233 HKT)
For centuries, Timbuktu has existed in the Western imagination as a byword for the most exotic, far-flung place conceivable.
April 17, 2012 — Updated 1102 GMT (1902 HKT)
How the traditional skills of trailing animals across the South African Bushveld are coming under threat.
April 13, 2012 — Updated 0012 GMT (0812 HKT)
Based on profits, Sony Corp. is an outstanding company — in life insurance sales and hit movies. But there’s one weak point.
17f
52
236
122
acb
More here -
Recent Comments