Hamid Ansari arrives in Beijing to attend 60th anniversary of Panchsheel

Beijing: Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari arrived in Beijing on Friday on the second leg of his five-day visit to China where he will hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart Li Yuanchao and participate in events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel treaty.

Xian, the ancient capital in Central China, is known for its terracotta warriors and historical links with India through Buddhism.

Upon his arrival at the Beijing International Airport, Ansari was received by Kong Xuan You, DG (Asia) in the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

On Saturday, Ansari will participate in a trilateral summit on behalf of India, where besides the host China, the President of Myanmar will also be present.

The trilateral summit meeting will be addressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Myanmar President U Thein Sein and Ansari at the Great Hall of the People.

The Vice President had earlier on Thursday said that the idea of Panchsheel was based on universal values.

“The principles are impeccable, the entire Non Aligned Movement (NAM) and bulk of United Nations members subscribe to it,” he said, adding that inter-state relations follow these principles.

On Monday, he will hold bilateral talks with his counterpart.

This is the first visit of an Indian leader to China after the NDA government-led by Narendra Modi took charge last month. It is also Ansari’s first visit to China, and the first by an Indian Vice President since KR Narayanan visited Beijing in 1994.