New Delhi, June 28: Echoing Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's assertion that Sikkim would be recognised by China as part of India with the "passage of time", China today said that the process of addressing India's concerns in Sikkim has "already" started. "I think the process has already been started. It will take some time before what you say will come about, ” Chinese ambassador to India Hua Junduo told a private Indian news channel in Shanghai when asked whether the Chinese position in the joint declaration with India was a de facto recognition of Sikkim by China.
"I think we very much appreciate the stand the Indian side has expressed on the question of Tibet, recognising the Tibet Autonomous Region as a part of Chinese territory,” he stated.
"In return, China has addressed the proper concerns of India. All I can say is that China has already launched a process to address the concerns of India on the question of Sikkim," the Chinese envoy said. On the Sino-Indian border issue, Hua said that the agreement reached by the two prime ministers in appointing special representatives showed the political resolve to address this dispute. "So I can expect a speedy discussion and a more effective way to have this issue resolved," he said.
While India has appointed national security adviser Brajesh Mishra as its special representative, the Chinese has nominated Dai Bingguo, senior most vice-minister in the Chinese foreign ministry.
Terming that India and China were "very good" partners "instead of rivals", the envoy said that the declarations made by both Prime Ministers very clearly stated that relationship between the two countries was not against any country. It would not affect the existing relationship or friendship between China and other countries and India and other countries. Stating that Vajpayee's visit has created a "win-win" situation for both sides, he said India and China have improved their mutual trust through this visit. "I think this will lay down a very strong basis for the further development of allround relationship including the political and economic relationship," Hua said.
Asked whether the two countries were now on a "new path", he said, "I think so. As Defence Minister George Fernandes said we should bury the past and the past refers to 1962 events. I think both sides have already decided to leave behind this historic baggage for the future years."