Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s Historic Visit to the People’s Republic of China

• The visit of Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to China has been a grand success. The Government of the People’s Republic of China and the ruling Community Party of China (CPC) accorded unprecedented importance and highest level of protocol to the Chief Minister going beyond the established norms. Special arrangements for reception, escort, banquets, visits, security and high level of meetings were made.

• The visit generated huge interest among business and industrial community as well as the Chinese political leadership. Chinese being diligent to the core, having seen all round development and spectacular growth of Gujarat, and the leadership provided by Mr. Narendra Modi, wants to build a strong and enduring relationship with Gujarat.

• The Director General of the International Department along with other senior officials accompanied the Chief Minister and his delegation during the entire visit right from his arrival at Beijing airport to his departure from Chengdu Airport.

• Indian Ambassador in China, the Consul Generals of Shanghai and Gongzhou and other officers of Indian Embassy accompanied the Chief Minister during his various programmes in China.

• The political highlight of the visit was that the Chief Minister was received at the Great Hall of People, where normally Heads of the State or Head of the National Governments are received and accorded such honour.

• In China, all meetings and protocol are decided by their top CPC leadership. For the first time, they organised meetings of a Chief Minister of a State with their top leadership and that too in the Great Hall of people.

• In various meetings and banquets, it was obvious that the top leadership of China is keen to have dialogue, exchange ideas and build relationship with Mr. Narendra Modi. They are very impressed with the achievements of Gujarat.

• At the very outset of the visit, the Vice Minister of International Department Mr. Cheng Fengxiang, had official meeting and hosted a welcome banquet in the honour of Chief Minister, Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi.

• The Chief Minister had a meeting with Mr. Wang Gang, Vice Chairman of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference, (and a member of the Polit Bureau of Communist Party of China), at Great Hall of People and had discussions on a wide ranging topics. This level of meeting is very important for a State Chief Minister and has never happened in the past.

• Mr. Wang Gang praised the rapid socio-economic development of Gujarat. He praised the leadership provided by Shri Narendra Modi in improving the socio-economic conditions of all people ensuring double digit growth, which is a huge achievement. He congratulated the Chief Minister for his stupendous achievements. He shared the Chinese experience of Socio-economic development. He emphasized that both India and China can share their experiences and learn a lot from each other. He took keen interest in Gujarat and its socio-economic development. He emphasized that China is keen to work with Gujarat for mutual economic co-operation.

• In China, Mayors are Chief Executives of big City States like Beijing and Shanghai. The Mayors of Beijing and Shanghai, who are top CPC leaders and top executives of their provinces as well as the Party Secretary of the Sichuan province, had comprehensive meetings with the Chief Minister. In the meeting, Chinese leadership was highly appreciative of the socio-economic development of Gujarat and transformational role played in it by Mr. Narendra Modi during last one decade. Official Banquets and Receptions were also organised by these leaders in the honour of the visiting Chief Minister.

• Shri Modi had a delegation level meeting with the Mayor of Beijing Mr. Guo Jinlong. He gave a detailed status of Gujarat and its fast growing cities as well as growing urbanization, which provides excellent opportunity for cooperation and collaboration.

• In his meeting with top Government and CPC leadership in China, in addition to economic and business relations, Mr. Narendra Modi also raised the issues of National Importance for India, viz.

• prolonged detention of 22 Indians (Gujaratis) in a Chinese Jail;
• wrong maps depicted by China showing part of Arunachal Pradesh in China, and related issues;
• presence of China in POK, which has security implications as in many POK areas, terrorist training centres are being run by the Pakistan; and
• Other issues for economic, political and cultural co-operation between India and China.

• Another important agenda of the Chief Minister was investment promotion in Gujarat. He showcased ‘Brand Gujarat’ to Chinese top leadership and its business community.

• Accordingly two Business Seminars one each at Beijing and Chengdu were also organised. 180 business leaders of China attended the Beijing seminar. 200 leaders of China attended the Chengdu seminar. In both the Business Seminars, extensive presentations and B-to-B meeting were held which evoked massive response.

• In all the top level political meetings and the above two business seminars, he highlighted the strength of the ascendance of the Indian economy and Gujarat’s lion share in the same, which is ever increasing.

• He particularly discussed the possibility of Chinese investment in Gujarat, and China’s participation in Vibrant Gujarat–2013. Mr. Narendra Modi invited Chinese business community and public enterprises to participate in Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit–2013. He invited Chinese industry for partnership and joint venture with Gujarat industries

• At the same time, the opportunities for Gujarat-based companies in sectors like pharma, IT & ITES, engineering goods, tourism, agro-processing were also discussed in detail. The visit opened new avenues in China for the Gujarat-based companies.

• It was felt that to facilitate business, it is worthwhile starting with the cultural aspects of understanding and co-operation. Hence, the issues like opening a Mandarin language school in Gujarat, connectivity between Gujarat and Chinese cities, and promotion of sports and tourism, particularly Buddhist tourism were also discussed in detail.

• Chief Minister accompanied by the entire delegation also visited the Shanghai Deep water Port, an engineering marvel. Gujarat being a leader in port sector has immense possibilities in the future. Chief Minister also discussed the Kapasar project with authorities and explored the possible collaboration.

• One of the most important features of the visit was Chief Minister’s meetings with Indian students at Beijing and Shanghai. At both places, a large number of Indian students came to meet and interact with Mr. Modi. They spoke passionately about the growth and all round development in Gujarat. Many of them came from different cities of China and travelled long distances.

• Alongwith the entire delegation, the Chief Minister visited Shanghai General Motors Company and Huawei Telecom Company.

• The Chief Minister also led the delegation to visit a village in Sichuan province which has been remarkably rehabilitated after the devastating earthquake of May 2008. Here, the catastrophic event has been converted into an opportunity with lasting effect.

 

• Both Central and provincial Governments in China acknowledged the rapid strides being made by Gujarat under the inspiring leadership of Mr. Narendra Modi. They are very keen to get connected and do business with Gujarat. Chinese Companies are keen to have trade links, invest in various sectors particularly through joint ventures.

• With this visit and interactions, top Chinese political and business leadership have become fully aware of Gujarat’s robust economy, enterprise, infrastructure, quality of life and opportunities it offers. It will help Gujarat businesses to do better with China. The awareness level about Gujarat in China has increased manifold.

• During the visit, a very large number of companies started B-to-B enquiries and few of them immediately signed their deals. Many of them have actively started pursuing business with their Gujarat counterparts. The visit has given tremendous confidence to Chinese companies and a trustful environment for business has been created.

• They are keen to partner with the State and its various enterprises. It is particularly reflected in their commitment to participate in Vibrant Gujarat–2013 and continue interaction during the intervening period. Highly focussed activities will be planned in 5 Chinese provinces to attract investment in Gujarat and improve Gujarat’s presence and business in China.

• Huawei : to consider for Gujarat

• to set up manufacturing base in state,
• Tele-presence in static/ mobile format on pilot basis,
• R&D centre with specific focus on e-Governance,
• Future technology solutions lab.
• Other issues viz. Data centre setup, Smart City project for Ahmedabad/ Gandhinagar, Government data base in Cloud, Linkage with Educational Institutions, etc. will also be considered by Huawei.

• India – China connectivity: Possibility to connect Chengdu – Bengaluru flight via Ahmedabad; Also better connectivity for Ahmedabad to Beijing and Shanghai, will be explored.

• Metro/ High-speed Train: China Rail Engineering to lead delegation to Gujarat in next few months to assess the potential and scope for participation.

• Mass-housing: Affordable and sustainable housing technology to create affordable mass housing and make urban areas slum-free.

• Gujarat will consider sending teams comprising design/ architecture people to visit 2008 earthquake reconstruction area for its reconstruction, long-term sustainability and better livelihood, disaster management, digital display, etc.

• Valued addition in Agro-forestry: A Professor from PAAF (Participatory Approaches in Agriculture and Forestry) to visit Gujarat for their input.

• Tourism and Sports: Both sides will co-operate in these areas in a big way. Cultural groups from China for next Patang Utsav and Navratri festivals.

• Shanghai Institute for Contemporary Development Studies for International Enterprises to be linked to a University in Gujarat for similar kind of research.

• China Sporting Goods Federation to lead a 20–member delegation in June to Gujarat; they need to be connected to sporting complexes for cost-effective sports equipment manufacturer in Gujarat.

• Kalpasar project: State to consult the Shanghai (Yangshan) Deep Water Port and explore technological options for the Kalpasar Project.

• Student Exchange: More and more students should be sponsored through scholarships. Triple the cultural and student exchange in next 2 years.

• Chinese language teaching: Mandarin language teaching and learning to be promoted in a big way. Chinese language courses to be introduced to various Universities, adding special courses for travel agents and business people.