Gao Shuxun, vice-governor of Southwest China’s Yunnan province, met India’s Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Jan 31 at the Kunming Airport.

The two discussed issues of common interest. Reminding that the third China-South Asia Expo will open soon in June, Gao called for more Indian participation.

He expressed his hope that India – the country of honor – could encourage more Indian enterprises to join in the annual event in an effort to make it more significant.

Gao also said that India and China’s Yunnan province had achieved remarkable cooperation in such fields as trade, education and tourism in recent years.

In particular, the increasing cooperation between India’s West Bengal and the Yunnan province as well as the establishment of sister cities’ tie between Kunming and Kolkata illustrate promising future potential the Yunnan-Indian cooperation holds, he stressed.

Swaraj agreed with Gao’s comments. He said that Yunnan was India’s important partner, adding India would spare no efforts to contribute to the expo and boost mutual development. In addition, more direct flights will be launched between Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, and some other Indian cities.

By Shi Zihan and edited by Mevlut Katik