Can Punjab grant China's rice wish?

CHANDIGARH: The Chinese palate has been relishing Indian rice, only it was a trifle difficult to get it earlier. But, now the neighbouring country wants to shop for rice in India, indicating that Punjab can cash in on this opportunity if it can maintain quality.
Speaking to TOI, ahead of inaugurating a photography exhibition at Panjab University on Monday, ambassador of People's Republic of China in India Sun Yuxi said: "The next year is to be used to promote friendship through tourism.We will hold more exhibitions, food festivals, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. We will increase number of flights to India and develop tourism infrastructure. The officials of respective tourism ministries are working on the details."
Eager to push tourist traffic between the two countries from existing 8 lakh to over 10 lakh by next year, China is working with the Indian government to develop infrastructure, travel agencies and cultural exchanges.
He said procedures to get a visa to China have been simplified and it usually takes four days to get one. In case of an emergency, it can be done on the spot as well, he said.
Not finding enough trade happening through the Nathu La pass opened last year, Yuxi said the two countries have signed a regional trade arrangement to take ahead bilateral trade from the current $20 bn with over 100 items on the trade list.
Agreeing that there is greater urgency on part of the China to push for a free trade area between the two countries, Yuxi said, "China now wants to develop with India. We want a stronger Asia. A section of Indian manufacturers though feel the Chinese industry would affect them adversely."
On trade with India, he said though China is self-sufficient in food it wants to buy better quality agri products from India including rice, vegetables, textiles and chemicals.
On the growing presence of Chinese companies in India, Yuxi said there are around 40 now and mostly in infrastructure projects like roads, power projects and laying gas pipelines. "We have agreed to a regional promotion and protection of investment," said Yuxi.