On July 21, 2025, the Hindu published a written interview with Chinese Ambassador to India H.E. Xu Feihong. Ambassador Xu elaborated on high-level exchanges, people-to-people interactions, economic and trade cooperation between China and India, Xizang-related issues, as well as China's foreign policies for South Asia. The full content of the interview is as follows:

1.About 8-9 batches of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been completed or are underway, and we were able to meet Indian pilgrims there. For the Chinese government, what is the significance of the restoration of the pilgrimage?

The Kangrínboqê Fēng and Mapam Yuco in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China are regarded as "sacred mountain and lake" by followers of several religions, including Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. The visit of Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake in Xizang of China is a special arrangement made by the Chinese side to show friendliness to the Indian people, accommodate the religious sentiments of the Indian people, and enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. During the preparation process, the Chinese side overcame many difficulties and invested a large amount of manpower and resources. Recently, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two sides, the pilgrimage to the sacred mountain and lake has resumed and is proceeding in an orderly manner. The Indian Defense Minister and Minister of External Affairs expressed their appreciation to the Chinese side during their visit to China, and the Indian people also responded enthusiastically. This will help to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries, and inject new impetus into the improvement and development of China-India relations.

2.Is KMY expected to pave the way for other people-to-people ties, including travel, trade and investment? How soon do you expect direct flights between India and China to begin, and what will be the frequency?

Resuming the pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake in Xizang of China is an important initiative taken by China to improve relations between the two countries. It fully demonstrates China's sincerity and trustworthiness. We hope and believe that the Indian side will work for the shared goal of promoting new developments in cooperation in areas such as investment, trade and tourism between the two countries. Currently, the government departments of both China and India, as well as major airlines, have done a lot of work for the resumption of direct flights. We hope that direct flights between the two countries will be launched as soon as possible.

3.There have been reports of a number of differences over economic issues- China is believed to have objected to India's FDI restrictions, and legal cases against Chinese businesses, while in India, China is perceived to have blocked exports of Critical minerals and fertilizers, and recalled Chinese personnel from Foxconn/Apple factories. How do you expect these to be resolved?

Last October, during the BRICS leaders' meeting in Kazan, Russia, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting. From a strategic and long-term perspective, they set the course to steer China-India relations and injected new vitality into the bright path for China and India to jointly pursue harmonious coexistence and common development as neighboring major countries.

Standing at a new historical starting point, both China and India are at a critical stage of their respective modernization. Development is the "greatest common denominator" between the two nations at present. China has always supported strengthening cooperation between China and India in the economic and trade fields. We hopes that India will work together with China to take more measures conducive to bilateral economic and trade exchanges, add incentive policies and reduce restrictive measures, so as to promote China-India economic and trade cooperation to a new level.

4.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is travelling to Tianjin this week to attend the SCO Foreign Minister's Meeting- has Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his attendance at the SCO Summit later this year, and would there be a bilateral visit or meeting as well?

China will hold the SCO summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025. We welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the SCO Tianjin summit. PM Modi said earlier that India fully supports China's SCO presidency. Not long ago India's NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended relevant SCO meetings in China. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited China and participated in the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, noting that India fully supports China, as the rotating chair, in hosting a successful SCO summit.

The SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting was successfully held recently and made full political preparations for the upcoming SCO Tianjin summit. The foreign ministers agreed to take concrete actions in the following five aspects. First, carry forward the Shanghai Spirit. Second, improve security mechanisms. Third, create development opportunities together. Fourth, consolidate good-neighborliness and friendship. Fifth, uphold fairness and justice. We believe that with the concerted effort of all parties, the Tianjin summit will be a gathering of solidarity, friendship and fruitful results, and the SCO will enter a new stage of high-quality development featuring greater solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness.

5.About the SCO Defence Minister's meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that one country held up the joint statement over references to terrorism and in particular the Pahalgam Terror attack. As Chair, how does China explain the lack of a statement on terrorism at the SCO, an organization that was founded with a priority on issues of terrorism, extremism and radicalization, and how confident is China of a joint statement at the FM meet/ Summit?

The SCO adheres to the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development. The Shanghai Spirit is the very root and soul of the SCO and the key to its strong vitality. According to this "code of conduct" of the SCO family, member states can equally express their positions but also should avoid bringing bilateral conflicts into the multilateral platform. Only by implementing the Shanghai Spirit in an effective approach, seeking common ground while shelving differences, maximizing each others' common interests and concerns, can we achieve mutual success and common development. 

Unilateralism and bullying are now forcing their way and bring to the world serious challenges. As the two most populous emerging economies, China and India need to enhance  cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and BRICS, resolutely uphold multilateralism, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.

6.Even as India and China restore their exchanges to bring a "semblance of normalcy" as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a statement, what is the next step on the Line of Actual Control? While both sides agreed to disengage in October 2024, has there been any progress on de-escalation and demobilization of troops there?

At present, the situation in the China-India border areas is generally stable. Last October, China and India reached resolutions on relevant issues concerning the border area after intensive consultations and negotiations, and fully and effectively pushed forward its implementation. Last December, based on the important consensus reached by the two leaders in Kazan, China and India held the 23rd Special Representatives' Meeting on China-India Boundary Question. The two sides held substantive talks and reached a six-point consensus on the China-India boundary question in a positive and constructive attitude. This March, the two sides held the 33rd Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs and agreed to take concrete and effective measures to continuously maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. In the next stage, China is willing to maintain communication with India through diplomatic and military channels, and in the spirit of equal consultation and mutual and equal security, further refine the border area management and control rules and strengthen confidence-building measures, so as to achieve sustainable peace and tranquility in the border areas.

7.The Deputy Chief of the Indian Army has alleged that China provided "all possible support" to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor including live inputs during the 4-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May. What is your response and has India raised its concerns about military interference from China in the conflict?

After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, China strongly condemned it immediately, reiterating its firm opposition to all forms of terrorism. China has been closely following the situation between India and Pakistan and actively promoting talks for peace. Foreign Minister Wang Yi had phone conversations with India's NSA Ajit Doval and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar respectively.

India and Pakistan are and will always be each other's neighbors, and both are China's important neighbors. The realization of ceasefire between India and Pakistan is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides, and conducive to regional peace and stability, which is also the common expectation of the international community. China welcomes and supports India and Pakistan to properly settle the differences and seek fundamental solutions through dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to continue playing a constructive role to this end.

During the recent meeting with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that China-India relations have their own historical logic and internal driving force, and the relationship does not target any third party, nor should it be disrupted by any third party. Similarly, the development of relations and cooperation between China and Pakistan does not target any third party. Defense and security cooperation is part of the normal cooperation between China and Pakistan.

8.Given that it is an annual practice, why did the Chinese MFA object to PM Modi's birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama?

The 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaging in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion and attempting to split Xizang from China. China consistently and firmly opposes any form of engagement between officials of any country and the 14th Dalai Lama. At present, the improvement and development of China-India relations is at a critical stage, and it is particularly important for both sides to respect each other's core interests and major concerns. China hopes that the Indian side could be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of Xizang-related issues, be fully aware of the 14th Dalai Lama's anti-China and separatist nature,  stick to its commitment on Xizang-related issues, stop using Xizang-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, and refrain from any form of contacts with the Dalai group or providing any form of support or convenience for the Dalai group to carry out anti-China separatist activities, so as not to disrupt the process of improving and developing China-India relations.

9.Does the issue of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, which the MEA says the government has "no position" on, have a bearing on India-China ties as well?

We have noted the MEA of India's response to media queries regarding the statement by the 14th Dalai Lama. However, it cannot be denied that some officials of India openly expressed their welcome and support for the statement by the 14th Dalai Lama, and attended his 90th birthday celebration. Some people from strategic communities and media made improper remarks on the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. Such words and deeds are, in essence, promoting interfering in China's internal affairs using Xizang-related issues, contrary to Indian government's public stance. Let me reiterate that Xizang is an inalienable part of China's territory. The lineage of the Dalai Lamas took shape and evolved within China's Tibet region. The religious status and titles is the prerogative of the central government of China. The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China. The Chinese government upholds the principle of independence and self-governance in religious affairs and administers the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, including that of the Dalai Lama, in accordance with the law. No interference by any external forces will be allowed. Hope the Indian side could know what truly matters and what's right, and honor its commitments made to China on Xizang-related issues.

10.Are there at present, any talks, or plans for talks between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama (as there have been in the past)?

The Chinese government upholds two fundamental principles when it comes to contact and talks with the 14th Dalai Lama. First, we would only have contact and talks with him or his personal representative, not with the so-called "Central Tibetan Administration." Second, any contact or talks, if they occur, will only concern the personal future of the 14th Dalai Lama himself or, at most, a small number of people close to him.

We are prepared to engage in talks with the 14th Dalai Lama regarding his personal future, provided he genuinely renounces the position aimed at splitting the motherland, completely ceases all separatist activities, publicly recognizes Xizang and Taiwan as integral parts of China, publicly recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China.

"The sea of suffering is boundless, but if you turn around, the shore is there". We hope the 14th Dalai Lama will engage in serious self-reflection, completely abandon his erroneous political positions and acts, renounce all activities aimed at disrupting the social order in Xizang, and return to the right path.

11.Last month, China initiated a trilateral meeting with Bangladesh and Pakistan, where a larger South Asian grouping was reportedly discussed. Could you confirm this?

On June 19, the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan Vice Foreign Minister/Foreign Secretary meeting was held in Kunming, Yunnan. The three sides exchanged views extensively on the trilateral cooperation. The three sides agreed to work together under the principles of good-neighborliness and friendship, equality and mutual trust, openness and inclusiveness, shared development and mutual benefit. The trilateral cooperation will focus on growing the economy and making people's lives better and the three countries agreed to discuss and implement cooperation programs in such fields as industry, trade, maritime affairs, water resources, climate change, agriculture, human resources, think tank, public health, education, culture, and youth. The three sides stressed that the trilateral cooperation upholds true multilateralism and open regionalism and will not target any third party.

12.In the past few years, China has created groupings on Covid and poverty alleviation in South Asia that doesn't include India. Is there an attempt to create a "SAARC minus India", or are there possibilities for China and India to cooperate in the region?

China is always committed to the neighborhood policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. By enhancing Political mutual trust, carrying out Inclusive cooperation and injecting impetus into Economic empowerment, China looks forward to joining hands with South Asian countries to make a bigger "PIE" of cooperation, to promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

"P" stands for Political Trust. China always puts neighborhood diplomacy front and center in foreign relations, pursues an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, and always wishes its neighbors well. Unlike the West, China never seeks so-called geopolitical competition, nor do we resort to the tricks of carrying out spheres of influence or interfering in other country's internal affairs. At present, China, India and other South Asian countries are at a critical stage of modernization.  China stands ready to cooperate with India to enable South Asian people to share peace and stability.

"I" stands for Inclusive Cooperation. China always practices open regionalism and forge friendships that are open, not exclusionary. In recent years, China has initiated cooperation mechanisms such as the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, the China-South Asia Exposition, the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation, and recently held the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan Vice Foreign Minister/Foreign Secretary meeting, enhancing the well-being of all the people through open cooperation. These cooperation mechanisms are by no means a closed and confrontational "small circle". It does not target any third party and will not be disrupted by any third party. China always welcomes India's participation in all the platforms above and looks forward to carrying out trilateral cooperation with India in South Asia, leveraging our respective strengths to produce the effect in which 1+1+1>3.

"E" stands for Economic Empowerment. China has carried out cooperation with neighboring countries based on the principle of mutual benefit, to promote the development of neighboring countries with its own modernization in pursuit of common prosperity. Over the past 12 years since China presented the Belt and Road Initiative, trade between China and South Asian countries has doubled from less than US$100 billion to about US$200 billion. China is also accelerating cooperation with South Asian countries in industrial and supply chains and emerging areas, which has visibly contributed to local economic development and people's livelihood.

China and India are cooperation partners to each other rather than competitive rivals. China stands ready to work with India and other South Asian countries to actively implement Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, join hands to make a bigger "PIE" for South Asian cooperation, and build a closer community with a shared future in the neighbourhood.