BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Trust has been promoted between China and India after Indian army chief N.C. Vij and his party concluded their eight-day China tour Wednesday, the first such trip in a decade.

    "The development of Sino-Indian relations is the need of times,and the common aspiration of the people of both countries as well," said Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

    Vij also met with Chinese military leaders including Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Liang Guanglie.

    Vij said during the meetings that "trust between the two militaries has deepened in recent years as bilateral cooperation enhanced in all fields." He confirmed that the border issue have been discussed during the meetings.

    Vij arrived in financial hub Shanghai in east China last Wednesday and inspected the PLA garrison there, and visited military facilities in the port city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong province, and also traveled to the northwestern city of Xi'an.

    "It is part of the ongoing process of bilateral exchange between the two countries," a Chinese diplomat said of the visit.

    The relations between China and India have developed rapidly inrecent years. Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee visited China in 2003 and signed a historic declaration to help the settlement of the border and other issues between the two countries.

    China and India last year held their first-ever joint military exercises. And its defense minister Cao Gangchuan visited India this march.

    "China would like to further expand the friendly relations with India and other neighboring countries to achieve common prosperity," said Zeng Qinghong.