BENAULIM: China Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Thursday lauded the work of Goan origin legendary physician Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis, who is considered as a symbol of friendship between India and China and called for peaceful and friendly coexistence between India and China.
Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis, who is revered by the Chinese for his exemplary work in their country during the Sino-Japanese war in 1938.
“We should carry forward the spirit of Dr Kotnis, firmly uphold peace and friendship between China and India, carry forward people-to-people friendship, constantly increase communication and exchanges between the 1.4 billion Chinese and 1.4 billion Indian people,” Gang stated in a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry here.
The Chinese Foreign Minister and Vice Minister Sun Weildong also met with persons connected with Dr Kotnis. Those who were part of the meeting included, Dr Sumangala Borkar, Dr Nitish Kerkar, Dr Sandeep Chopra, Kranti Fernandes, Mohammad Israil, Dr Zou Zhengxin and Dr Rajendra Jadhav, Chairman of Dr Kotnis Memorial Committee.
Dr Kotnis, originated from Pernem and born in Solapur, was one of the five Indian physicians dispatched to China to provide medical assistance during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1938.
Known for his dedication and perseverance, he has been regarded as an example for Sino-Indian friendship and collaboration.
Along with the Canadian Dr Norman Bethune, he continues to be revered every year by the Chinese people during the Qingming Festival, a day used by the Chinese to commemorate the martyrs.
Qin said that Dr Kotnis was a great friend of the Chinese people and an outstanding fighter in the anti-fascist war. He dedicated his precious youth and life to the cause of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japan, the minister added.
“The spirit of Dr Kotnis is a humanitarian spirit of saving the dying and healing the wounded, a heroic spirit of struggle and sacrifice, and more importantly, a spirit of internationalism that advocates peace and friendship and a shared future,” he said. Speaking about the meeting, Dr Jadhav said, “After many months, Chinese officials have remembered about Dr Kotnis. Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit New Delhi on July 3, then only we will come to know about next course of action. Today’s meeting was not mere discussion, but much more beyond it.”
He said that Chinese officials have invited persons connected with work of Dr Kotnis all over India, indicating China is still considers Dr Kotnis as a symbol of friendship with India. (With PTI inputs)