China urges India to ensure fair ground for its firms as trade surges

Beijing has urged New Delhi to ensure a “fair and non-discriminatory” business environment for Chinese companies, even as it welcomed greater Indian participation in its own markets.

Addressing a seminar in New Delhi on September 8, Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong highlighted that bilateral trade had touched $88 billion in the first seven months of 2025, registering a 10.5% year-on-year rise. He said China was open to more Indian products and investments but added that reciprocity was essential.

“We welcome more Indian companies to promote their products and invest in China,” Xu said. “We also hope India could provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises. History cannot be changed, but the future can be shaped.”

Xu’s remarks come against the backdrop of the continuing border stand-off that has strained commercial ties since 2020, with several Chinese apps banned in India and investments restricted. His call also follows last week’s meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, where the two leaders explored ways to “coexist with mutual respect and trust.”

At the seminar marking the 80th anniversary of China’s “Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,” Xu pressed for cooperation against tariff wars, pointing indirectly to the United States’ decision to slap 50% tariffs on India. He urged both countries to “advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world” and to resist protectionism.

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China. Xu noted that Modi and Xi have met twice in the past year and said both sides were working to implement “important consensus” reached by the leaders.

Progress has also been seen on people-to-people exchanges. Since January, Chinese missions in India have issued more than 2.4 lakh visas to Indian citizens. China has also resumed facilitating the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, while India recently restarted issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals.

Calling for the “dragon and elephant to dance together,” Xu appealed for both countries to embrace “harmonious coexistence” and to turn a page on confrontation with a forward-looking partnership.