The 8th China-India Forum, co-organized by Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences (SASS), Indian Social and Economic College(ISEC), Indian Institutes of Management (IMI), and Sichuan International Expo Group, was held in SASS on October 17th. Themed by “Humanities, Economy, Trade and People's Welfare in China and India”, the forum focuses on the cultural exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between China and India under the new situation of dramatic changes in the world. Nearly one hundred experts and scholars from home and abroad attended the meeting. They are from ISEC, IMI, Delhi University, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, Renmin University of China, Sichuan University, Xihua Normal University, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan University of Light and Chemical Technology.
Prof. Xiang Baoyun, President of SASS, Prof. Arindam Banik, Dean of the IMI of Kolkata, and Prof. CM Lakshmana, from the ISEC, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Fang Lei, director of Sichuan International Expo Group also attended the opening ceremony. The ceremony was presided by Prof.Yao Leye, Vice President of SASS.
Prof. Xiang Baoyun said that there is a long-standing business relationship and humanistic exchanges between China and India. In the context of the world facing a major change, China and India should tap the potential of humanities exchanges and work together to achieve the mission of the great rejuvenation of the two great civilizations. The Southern Silk Road in ancient China began in Chengdu, and ended in India. This road of trade, culture and friendship that connects Sichuan and India fully reflects the profound historical and cultural origins between Sichuan and India.At present, Sichuan is not only the largest market center and material distribution center in the west, but also the most important bridgehead for China to expand economic cooperation with South Asia, especially India. Economy in Sichuan and India have strong complementarities. The cooperation between Sichuan and India has great needs, realistic foundations and good prospects. However, it requires serious and in-depth comparative research from research institutions and scholars from both sides in order to create more opportunities to promote economic development and enhance people's well-being. This seminar is a groundbreaking work to achieve this goal.
The forum has held academic discussions on the two themes of "China-India Exchange-History and Culture" and "Economic and Trade Cooperation". The main topics include: first, the historical and realistic study of the cultural exchanges between China and India; second, China-India competition and cooperation under the situation of dramatic changes in the global political and economic pattern; third, China-India economic and trade relations under the background of trade protectionism, including the new situation, new opportunities, challenges and paths; fourth, the specific problem in China-India economic and social development, including social governance, taxation systems, infrastructure development policies, ecological environmental carrying capacity, and social welfare.