Facets of contemporary China

President Narayanan's week-long visit to China was a departure from the well-trodden official itinerary. A photo essay.

A view of the garden city from the Mayor of Dalian's office. The musical fountain is a great tourist attraction.

The two Presidents leaving the banquet hall.

President Narayanan is welcomed warmly at Beijing University by its President, students and teachers.

President Narayanan interacts with scholars of the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences at Kunming. The Kunming Initiative envisages a new type of regional development cooperation drawing on ancient historical ties and the tradition of the Southern Silk Route linking China and India overland.

The Naxi ethnic nationality created a thousand years ago the Dongba characters. This remarkable pictographic script, discovered by the outside world only in recent times, has stirred worldwide scholarly interest. A tourist guide at the Yunnan Ethnic Nationalities Village calls illustrative attention to the traits of the Dongba characters.

Chang Ruisheng, China's former Ambassador to India, is now a leader of the informal Track Two dialogue between China and India. Here, he interacts with the Indian media delegation.

President Narayanan expressing satisfaction over the outcome of his State visit to the media on board the return flight to India.

First Lady Usha Narayanan signs copies of the Chinese edition of Sweet and Sour, her translation of Burmese short stories into English originally published in Frontline. The book release ceremony is at Villa No. 2 of the State Guest House.