New Chinese envoy arrives in India to assume charge amid border disputes
- In Reports
- 08:44 PM, May 10, 2024
- Myind Staff
The long-awaited arrival of Xu Feihong as the new Chinese Ambassador to India in New Delhi marks the end of an 18-month period of uncertainty regarding the appointment of the head of the Chinese Mission in Delhi.
Xu Feihong steps into his role at a crucial juncture in China-India relations, amidst efforts to address an ongoing military standoff in eastern Ladakh. With nearly four decades of diplomatic experience, Xu has served in various capacities and countries, including as ambassador to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2013 and Romania from 2015 to 2018.
Prior to his assignment in India, Xu held the position of assistant minister for financial and administrative affairs in China's foreign ministry. His appointment appears to have been carefully considered by the Chinese government. Notably, Xu's diplomatic postings have predominantly been in Western countries, with his sole prior experience in South Asia being as ambassador to Afghanistan. He holds a bachelor's degree in law and joined China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1987.
As the newly appointed ambassador, Xu Feihong faces the critical task of rebuilding mutual understanding and trust between China and India, a relationship that has seen a steep decline since the Galwan Clash of 2020. Despite the strained political ties, bilateral trade between the two nations has shown significant growth. In the first half of 2023 alone, total India-China trade reached $57.48 billion, marking a substantial 62.7% increase compared to the previous year. However, this growth has been heavily skewed in favour of Beijing.
Challenges persist in other areas, such as the absence of direct flights between India and China due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, Indian students have been disproportionately affected by visa bans imposed by China in response to the pandemic. Particularly, those studying medicine have faced prolonged academic disruptions and financial hardships due to these restrictions. Addressing these issues will likely be among Xu Feihong's priorities as he assumes his role as ambassador.
Upon his arrival at New Delhi's International Airport, the new head of the Chinese embassy was greeted with diplomatic protocol. Officials from the Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, along with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Delhi, Ambassador Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam of Eritrea to India, and several officials from the Chinese embassy, extended their welcome. Xu Feihong succeeds his predecessor, Sun Weidong, who was promoted to foreign vice-minister after concluding his tenure in India in October 2022. Feihong faces the delicate task of maintaining a balanced approach as both India and China seek to normalise relations along the border while advancing bilateral trade and other areas of cooperation.
Image Source: India Today
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