12 June : The Fourth Indo-China Youth delegation will be visiting China from 15th to 24th June, 2009 under Indo –China Youth Exchange Programme to further foster and enhance the continued youth-to-youth contact between the two countries and consolidate our long-standing bilateral relations over 55 years. Shri Arun Yadav, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports will lead the 100 member Indian delegation. During their ten day stay in China, the delegation will visit Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou.
In view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games 2010, in New Delhi , the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has finalized this year the Indian Youth delegation with an objective to get an exposure to the Volunteers Programme in China, where large number of volunteers were recruited and trained to handle the international visitors and also for the actual conduct of the international events like the Beijing Olympics, World Expo and similar International Events. The Chinese side has welcomed this Ministry’s proposal to utilize the visit to learn about the volunteers’ programme in China. To facilitate this ,they will be arranging appropriate visits and interactions for the delegation and the accompanying officials in the cities of Beijing, Guangzhou (the venue of Asian Games next year) and Sichuan – the first two are places where volunteers will be mobilized for mega international events, while the third is where volunteers played important role in relief and rehabilitation after the massive Wenchuan earthquake last year. The places to be visited in China by the delegation shall meet the objectives for exposing the youths for the volunteers’ programme to be utilized for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, 2010.
The 100-member Indian Youth Delegation, 2009 will comprise of 94 volunteers from National Service Scheme(NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan(NYKS), Cultural Artistes (National Youth Festival Winners), Distinguished Young Journalists and distinguished Students of Chinese Language as Interpreters and five officials .
Background : INDIA CHINA YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
During the visit of the Chinese Premier, H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao to India in April, 2005, it was decided to launch regular youth exchange activities between India and China. This agreement also found reference in the Joint Statement of April 11, 2005 signed by the two Prime Ministers ( H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao and H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh) , which announced the launching of regular youth exchange activities between India and China. The extract from India – China Joint Statement signed by Prime Minister of India and Premier of China on April 11, 2005 is reproduced as under :
“VII. The two sides agreed to further promote the cooperation in the spheres of education, science, and technology, health care, information, tourism, youth exchange, agriculture, dairy development, sports and other fields on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity. The two sides decided to establish an India-China Steering Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation chaired by their Ministers for Science and Technology, and start consultations on an agreement on mutual recognition of academic certificates and degrees between India and China. The two sides announced the launching of regular youth exchange activities. China will invite 100 Indian to China within the year of 2005 and hold an exhibition this year on advanced and applicable technologies in India.”
During his talks with Prime Minister of India, the Chinese Premier proposed to invite 100 Indian youth to China. The Prime Minister of India welcomed the proposal and, in turn, offered to invite 100 Chinese youth to India. India and China decided to make 2006 as the “India-China Friendship Year”. Exchange visits of youth delegations were one of the commemorative activities. Thus, the historic event marked the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India.
Further, the Joint Declaration issued during the visit of the Chinese President ,His Excellency Mr. Hu Jintao, to India from November 20-23,2006, stated that the two sides agreed to launch a five-year programme for mutual exchange of youth delegations. The extract from the Joint Declaration issued during the visit of the Chinese President to India from November 20-23, 2006 is as under:
“The two sides also agree to launch a five-year programme for mutual exchange of youth delegations. In this context, the Chinese side invites five hundred youth from India over the next five years.”
People-to-people exchange is one of the most important areas that significantly contribute to bilateral relationship. Youth represents the future of the nations. The Indian side has always been attaching great importance to youth exchange. The main purpose of the visit is to promote mutual understanding of values and culture amongst the youth and to develop better relation between India and China. The exchange programme involves interaction with local youth, visits to tourist and cultural sites and introduction to economic and social activities. In addition, it also has elements of educational value, meeting with economic and political personages and interactive sessions in different areas such as culture and sports.
So far, three Indian Youth Delegates visited China (details placed at Annex A) as under:
* The first 100-member Indian Youth Delegation visited China from 8th to 17th October, 2006.
* The second 100-member Indian Youth Delegation visited China from 7th to 16th June, 2007.
* The third 100-member Indian Youth Delegation visited China from 29th June to 8th July, 2008.
The Youth Exchange Programme with China has been enriching in experience for the participants in terms of both knowledge and building bridges of enduring friendship amongst the youth of both Countries.
The joint efforts and through the exchange of youth delegations, we will be able to promote the constant development of friendship and cooperation between youth of our two great countries. The joint effort of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India and the All China Youth Federation (ACYF) , the implementing agency, shall help to strengthen the bond of friendship and co-operation between the youth of our countries.