Liu Zongyi Interviewed by Global Times

Liu Zongyi    source：Global Times

At a press briefing of the Chinese Foreign Ministry (FM) on Friday, a reporter noted that India's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it has agreed with China to expedite the process to resume direct flights between the two countries. Asked whether the Chinese side can confirm this and provide further details, FM Spokesperson Lin Jian referred the specific question to the competent authorities, and added that the resumption of direct flights is conducive to ensuring cross-border travel, exchanges and cooperation between China and India, which is in the interest of the two sides.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian Photo: VCG

"China is positive toward it. We hope India will work with us to resume flights as soon as possible and ensure safe and orderly mutual visits between the two countries," Lin said. 

According to a press release seen on India's Ministry of External Affairs' website regarding a meeting between Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and India's Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri on Thursday, the two sides agreed to expedite steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries. 

The press release said that India's Foreign Secretary hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. The two sides further agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks.

Amid China's expansion of its visa-free policy and opening-up, there has been a surge in Indian tourists visiting China, indicating strong demand, and some Chinese businesses are also keen to engage in trade and investment in India, Liu Zongyi, director of the Center for South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times on Friday.

The resumption of direct flights would be conducive to promoting cooperation in bilateral trade and investment, especially for sectors such as consumption and tourism,Liu said. 

In the first five months of 2025, trade between China and India reached $61.58 billion, recording a year-on-year increase of 10.3 percent, according to data released by China's General Administration of Customs. 

In 2024, China mainly exported electrical machinery, chemical products, and base metals to India, while importing mineral products, raw materials, and chemical products from India, according to China's Foreign Ministry.