SAPPORO, Japan, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met Tuesday with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, discussing bilateral relations and global issues such as climate change, energy and food security.

During the talks, President Hu said that China-India relations are in the best period and are facing a valuable opportunity for development.

China is willing to work with the Indian side to promote cooperation and exchanges in various fields, continuously substantialize the China-India strategic partnership, and advance the stable, sound and long-term development of bilateral relations, said Hu.

The world today is undergoing major changes and adjustments, featuring the rise of key developing countries such as China and India, which is an irreversible trend, he said.

As major developing countries, China and India bear the common tasks of developing economy, improving people's livelihood, safeguarding world peace, and promoting common development, Hu added.

The two nations are also faced with common challenges such as climate change, energy and food security, and the Doha round of the World Trade Organization talks.

Hu said that China is ready to strengthen contact and coordination with India to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries in a bid to achieve common development.

The two neighbors should strengthen cooperation on major international and regional issues, so as to create together a regional environment of peace and stability, equality and mutual trust, and win-win cooperation. The cooperation would also help build a world of lasting peace and common prosperity, said the Chinese president.

Singh, for his part, said that India and China are strategic partners and that promoting friendly and cooperative relations with China is the consensus of the Indian government and people.

The two sides have witnessed rapid growth in economic and trade during the past several years, conducted satisfactory exchanges in areas of defense and security, and made consultations and cooperation in global and regional issues like climate change and food prices, said Singh.

On the demarcation of borders between the two countries, Hu expressed hope that the two sides should work out at an early date a fair and just solution acceptable to both sides, in the spirit of peace and friendship, consultation on an equal footing, and mutual respect and understanding,

Noting the important headway already made, Singh suggested the two sides make joint efforts to preserve peace and tranquility in the border areas before a final resolution is achieved, he added. He also expressed hope that the two sides should continue to facilitate the process.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is scheduled to open in a month's time. Hu said that the 2008 Beijing Olympics is a grand sports event for Asia as well as for the world at large. It has drawn wide attention and has rallied broad support from the international community, including that from India, said Hu.

He expected outstanding performance of the Indian athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Singh said that as an Asian country, India is delighted to see the achievement made by China. He wished the historic Beijing Olympics an enormous success.

During their talks, President Hu expressed heartfelt thanks to the Indian government and leaders for their support and assistance to China's quake-hit southwestern Sichuan province.

Hu also offered condolences to the family of the victims and those injured during a bomb attack at the Indian embassy in Afghanistan on Monday.

The Chinese president arrived here late Monday for the outreach session of the Group of Eight (G8) summit scheduled for Wednesday in the northern Japanese resort of Toyako.

Source: Xinhua