On December 21, the first meeting for the China-India high-level people-to-people exchanges mechanism was held in the Indian capital New Delhi, which signaled that the world's two largest developing countries would make greater efforts in enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

China and India have had a history of friendly exchanges for more than 2000 years. The two nations are both ancient civilizations, originating in areas along the Yellow River and the Ganges, respectively. They have learned from each other and made outstanding contributions to both the eastern and the global civilization.

Both China and India are also emerging economies in Asia, accounting for an increasing share of the world economy. The influence of the two countries on reshaping the world power paradigm has also increased. However, due to geopolitical and other factors, mutual trust between the two countries remains insufficient, and the level of cultural and people-to-people exchanges have yet to be improved. Most notably, there is still a gap in the two peoples' understanding of each other.

The high-level cultural and people-to-people exchange mechanism will help to deepen cooperation in various aspects of cultural exchanges, and further consolidate public support for the development of China-India partnership.

There are various ways to strengthen this mechanism. First of all, enhance cooperation between media outlets in the two countries. A mechanism on the media summit forum has been established between China and India, providing guidance for bilateral media exchanges. In the future, it is necessary to use well both the new media and the traditional media, and to inform the audience of the truth about the bilateral relations, the friendship and cooperation between China and India.

Secondly, deepen cultural exchanges. China and India are rich in cultural heritage. Academia and government agencies should work together to develop exchange programs. For instance, the cooperation over the museum and pilgrimage programs can be stepped up.

Thirdly, promote all-around exchanges among youths. Young people are the hope and the future of a nation. On the one hand, it is necessary to promote exchanges among young leadership, including young entrepreneurs and student leaders, and to set up a platform for exchanges between great young minds in China and India. 

On the other hand, in making breakthroughs on sports exchanges, both countries can strengthen exchanges among young athletes and cooperate in the Asian Games, Winter Olympics, Olympics and other important events. The exchange of young athletes will benefit both countries.

Last but not least, both countries should create flagship programs of cultural exchanges. These programs can offer guidance for other cultural exchange endeavors and can encourage people from all walks of life on both sides to carry out cultural exchanges with their innovative ideas.

Programs such as the China-India Think Tank Forum, the China India Forum, the China-India Media Forum and the China-India joint medical team have become flagship programs of China-India cultural exchanges. In the future, both sides should widen the scope and expand the popularity and the influence of such exchanges.

In fact, China and India still have plenty of room for exchange programs in the fields of education, tourism, local exchange, art, so on and so forth.

China-India high-level mechanism on cultural and people-to-people exchanges is China's ninth-largest high-level cultural exchange mechanism established so far. China and India are also members of the BRICS Summit, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, East Asia Summit, and other multilateral organizations.

The common interests of China and India are greater than their differences. The two sides should not compete but tango with each other. The establishment of this high-level exchange mechanism will further promote the positive dynamics between the two countries and facilitate the rise of these two emerging Asian economies.