New Delhi/IBNS: China Monday "appreciated" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's positive remarks on the ties between the two countries, saying that a "dragon-elephant dance" cooperation is the correct choice for these neighbours.

"Let me stress that in the 2000 plus years' history of interactions, the two countries have maintained friendly exchanges" and both the countries learned from each other contributing to civilisational achievements and human progress," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters.

The statement comes after PM Modi during his interaction with US-based podcaster and computer scientist Lex Fridman said normalcy has returned to the India-China border after his recent talks with President Xi Jinping to defuse tensions ignited by the 2020 clashes between the two armies in eastern Ladakh.

The two countries should be partners that contribute to each other's success and a "cooperative pas de deux", a ballet dance between dragon and elephant, is the "only choice for both sides", she said, reiterating the recent comments made by Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the development of bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister said that his government is focused on ensuring that differences do not escalate into disputes. 

"Our focus is to ensure that these differences don't turn into disputes. That's what we actively work toward. Instead of discord, we emphasise dialogue, because only through dialogue can we build a stable, cooperative relationship that serves the best interests of both nations," PM Modi told Lex Fridman.

The Chinese spokesperson said the successful meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, in October provided strategic guidance for the improvement and development of bilateral ties.

In November last year, Indian and Chinese troops started patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh after a gap of over four years. Patrolling was stopped in these two areas in eastern Ladakh for about four and a half years after the two sides clashed in the Pangong Lake and Galwan regions in May-June 2020.