Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wants to join forces with India to make the 21st century the “Asian century of the IT industry", reports Silicon. Speaking at the office of Tata Consultancy Services in India on Sunday, Wen said the two countries must combine their strengths to take a leadership position in the IT world.
Wen marked the second day of his four-day visit to India by meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and top Indian leadership in New Delhi on Monday. “India has the advantage in software and China has the advantage in hardware,” said Wen, after a ceremonial welcome at the red sandstone official residence of Indian President Abdul Kalam. “Both countries could work to their mutual advantage and be world leaders. I strongly believe that the combination of India and China could certainly set a new trail in IT.”
According to The Asian Age, the Chinese Premier exuded confidence when discussing the numbers of computer and internet users in China, which is estimated to be upwards of 100 million.
“We are making giant strides in the field of IT,” said Wen. “There is an ever broadening market for the IT industry. The coming together of India and China would be mutually beneficial.” With an ever broadening market for the IT industry, Wen sees the two countries coming together as not only beneficial for Asia, but for peace throughout the world, as well.
“I hope and believe that my visit will inject fresh vigour and vitality into relations,” said Wen. “As the world’s two major developing countries, China and India will exert positive influence on peace and development in Asia, and the world at large, when we live in peace, deepen mutual trust and expand co-operation.” An IT alliance between China and India could significantly level the playing field in the competition with the West, and Wen’s pledge to use China’s and India’s burgeoning power for peace is encouraging. As China’s influence in the world increases, only time will tell whether this good-will approach to power extends itself to other facets of Chinese policy.