India & China should firmly oppose any form of tariff and trade wars, Xu Feihong calls 50% tariff 'unfair'

China's Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong believes that the two major developing economies in Asia, India and China should 'firmly oppose' any form of tariff and trade wars and uphold the multilateral trading system.

Feihong, during a media address on Monday, said, "Together, we should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, firmly oppose any form of tariff and trade wars, jointly uphold the multilateral trading system, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and contribute to the collective rise of the Global South."

On Trump's 50% tariff on India, Feihong said that the United States has long benefited from free trade and is now using tariffs as a weapon to demand exorbitant prices. Terming the high tariff rate as 'unfair and unreasonable', he said that China firmly opposes it.

Speaking at the The 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Feihong noted that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, where people face a choice between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation.

"Currently, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, unilateralism and acts of bullying are on the rise, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. Humanity once again faces a choice between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum game," he said.

India-China relations

Speaking on India-China ties, China's Ambassador to India said, "China and India should demonstrate a global vision and responsibility as major powers, and make greater contributions to safeguarding world peace, promoting common development, and improving global governance."

"To this end, first, we should carry forward the great friendship forged during the War of Resistance, and jointly pursue a path of peaceful coexistence between major neighbouring countries," he added.

As trade relations between India and China have improved, bilateral trade in goods between the two countries has grown steadily, reaching $88 billion in the first 7 months of this year, with a year-on-year increase of 10.5%.

"China stands ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies and share experience in modernisation with India," he affirmed.

As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, Feihong said that China-India relations have experienced twists and turns, but friendly cooperation has always been the dominant theme over the past 75 years.

"Over the past year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi have met twice in Kazan and Tianjin, charting the right course for the improvement and development of bilateral relations," Feihong said. "The two sides have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the two leaders. The two foreign ministers exchanged visits, and special representatives on the boundary question, defence ministers, and vice foreign minister/foreign secretary maintained frequent interactions. These efforts have contributed to the sound and steady development of bilateral relations..."

Visa to China

Feihong noted that Chinese diplomatic missions in India have issued over 240,000 visas to Indian citizens this year. China also resumed Indian pilgrimages to Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yuco in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China.

"China also resumed Indian pilgrimages to Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yuco in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China, and India resumed tourist visa issuance to Chinese citizens, both of which have been warmly received," he said.