NEW DELHI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral exchanges between India and China will not be affected by the novel coronavirus epidemic, Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong has said.
"I think the difficulties are temporary and will be overcome," Sun told a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"I believe bilateral exchanges will not be blocked by the virus and China-India relations (will) not be affected by the epidemic," he said.
The envoy briefed the media on China's efforts to contain the novel coronavirus epidemic.
"We are grateful that (Indian) Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi sent a letter to (Chinese) President Xi Jinping and assured readiness to stand by China and provide the assistance that India can to face this challenge," he noted.
The acts of goodwill fully demonstrate Indian people's friendship with Chinese people, the ambassador said.
"We need to maintain high-level exchanges, hold institutional meetings and a series of celebratory activities, expand personnel exchanges and trade, and scale the bilateral relations to a new height," he said.
The ongoing year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Beijing, and both countries have earmarked 70 different programs to celebrate the bond between them.