‘India-China friends forever’: ‘Grandpa’ Wen’s message to students

NEW DELHI - The Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Wen Jiabao, was addressed as ‘Grandpa’ by the children during his visit to the Tagore International School in Vasant Vihar here on Wednesday, where he taught calligraphy to them with the message ‘India-China friendship forever’.

During his visit here, Premier Jiabao wrote in calligraphic style: ‘India-China friendship forever’

“I have been accorded gracious hospitality since I and my colleagues arrived in your country, I believe we can do that because we are friends we are friends forever,” said Wen Jiabo, while addressing the school students here.

The Chinese Premier further said the friendship between the two nations have a time honoured history, which dates back to civilizations.

“India and China are two very populas countries with ancient civilizations, friendship between two countries have a time honoured history, which can be dated back 2000 years back, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries in particular last ten year friendship and cooperation has made significant progress,” said Wen Jiabao.

“The students in china have such a believe that two countries, whose combined population is 2.5 billion, it will represent the revitalization of Asia and will have global impact,” he added.

The visiting Chinese Premier further said he is deeply touched and pleased with the Indian students calling him ‘Grandpa’.

Wen Jiabao also commemorated Rabinarth Tagore and said that the sage poet, who came to Shanghai in 1924, is a household name in China.

He also expressed his fondness for yoga, and said two children in his family are learning yoga.

The Chinese Premier also said that introduction of mandarin by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a meaningful step.

The students fondly call Wen Jiabao as ‘Grandpa’ in China. (ANI)