Chinese Premier:- Let's join forces on IT

BANGALORE, India -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Sunday that China and India should work together to lead the world in information technology, jointly heralding a new "Asian century."

On a visit to India's southern technology hub of Bangalore, Wen said the two nations should put aside their historic rivalry and instead pool their resources.

"I strongly believe that if we join hands together, we will certainly be able to set a new trail in the IT business world. When the particular day comes, it will signify the coming of the Asian century of the IT industry," Wen said in an address to information technology professionals in Bangalore.

India has gained global repute as a hub of software professionals while China is strong on computer hardware. Wen suggested they should collaborate, not compete.

"Cooperation is just like two pagodas (temples), one hardware and one software," Wen said.

"Combined, we can take the leadership position in the world," he said.

Wen appealed to Indian software companies to set up operations in China to tap the Chinese and global markets.

He later met scientists and visited the research facilities at the headquarters of the Indian Space Research Organization in Bangalore.

Last year, China became the first Asian power to launch a man into orbit. India has announced similar ambitions.

The two countries have been improving ties despite decades of frosty relations and rivalry. China is also a longtime ally and the main supplier of military hardware to Pakistan -- India's archrival.

"I hope and believe that my visit will inject fresh vigor and vitality into relations," Wen said in a statement distributed to reporters after his arrival.

During talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, the two countries are expected to sign nearly 30 agreements to promote political, economic and cultural ties.

China is keen to develop a free trade area between the two countries. Their combined populations total 2 billion, which would make it the largest free trade area in the world.

India-China trade reached $13.6 billion in 2004, with India recording a trade surplus of $1.75 billion, Indian Commerce Ministry statistics show.

"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 cooperation," Wen's statement said.

Wen and Singh are expected to discuss the more than 50-year-old border dispute over their 1,030-kilometer (650-mile) border, parts of which are not demarcated. A consensus on how to settle the issue is expected to be reached during Wen's four-day visit.

Wen is also expected to raise the issue of Tibet and the role of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India, Chinese officials have said.

On Saturday, police prevented Tibetan activists, who oppose Beijing's rule in the Himalayan territory, from demonstrating against Wen's visit.

Police detained two Tibetan leaders to prevent them from organizing demonstrations and prevented 50 Tibetan students from leaving their college hostels to protest, a police officer said.

Another Tibetan protest was planned Sunday in New Delhi.