国内英语新闻:Reception held to mark 60th anniversary of China-India ties

Patil said India-China relationship was a time-tested friendship based on frequent cultural and religious exchange between the two countries over the past centuries.

She said China's development in many areas was impressive and India would like to learn from China's experience.

"Our common interests and shared concerns provide the basis for working together," she said, vowing to further boost India-China cooperation and facilitate greater growth of bilateral relations.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping meets with Indian President Pratibha Patil prior to the Reception to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and India in Beijing,May 28,2010.

China and India forged diplomatic relations on April 1, 1950, less than one year after the People's Republic of China was founded, which Xi said had opened a new chapter in the history of China-India relations.

Earlier on Friday, Patil visited the Forbidden City, the former residence of China's imperial families during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, and the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the two dynasties offered sacrifices to heaven and prayed for good harvests.