China and India have shared a complex relationship for years that has straddled border disputes as well as competition for the hearts and minds of their neighbors. The two Asian giants have intensified their geopolitical competition of late, in part as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has adopted a more assertive policy toward Beijing, deepening ties with the U.S. and strengthening military cooperation with other Asian countries. As Mr. Modi kicked off his first official visit to China this week, China Real Time hit the streets to hear how ordinary Beijing residents feel about their Indian neighbor and what they think the future might hold for the two countries’ relationship.

Liu Yumin, 53, retiree from Beijing

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

No. I have no plans to go there. It just doesn’t interest me.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

It’s a huge country with a large population.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I have seen his name on news. But I don’t know much about him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

We should cooperate with each other and co-exist peacefully.

Mr. Wang, 28, information technology worker from Hebei province

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

I’ve never been, nor do I want to go. Nothing there attracts me.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

It’s the only country in Asia that can compete with China.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I know nothing about him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

Economic development is one area. The IT industry is well-developed in India. Chinese brands like Xiaomi and ZTE also export to India. If there’s money around, may as well make it, right?

Yang Baozhi, 65, retiree from Beijing

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

No. I’m too old to travel abroad now. And I don’t think there’s anything good there.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

It used to be poor but now it’s developing rapidly, with a large population.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I have heard his name in the news, but I know little about him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

One problem is the dispute over territory. That’s a historic problem left by Nehru. Now both countries want to expand their land so they can further develop. We’ve shelved this issue before, but it’s a dispute we have to solve sooner or later.

Jin Di, 26, real estate industry worker from Beijing

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

No, neither have my friends. It seems it’s not very popular among tourists.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

They’re a Buddhist nation. Their streets are a little dirty.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

No. Never heard of him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

We still have territorial disputes. India has its own Silicon Valley. We can do more to cooperate in the science and technology field.

Angela, 24, finance worker from Beijing

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

No, but I’ll definitely go in the future. I feel like it’s a mysterious country. After watching “Slumdog Millionaire,”I really want to see the slums there.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

Curry and roti prata.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I haven’t heard of him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

We can do more to jointly develop tourism. Right now, there are few tours that go to India. I’d be a little concerned about safety if I were to go there alone.

Xu Kairui, 70, retiree from Beijing

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

No, but if have chance I’d love to go since it’s an ancient civilization.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

It’s a Buddhist nation. We were really close in 1950s. The society there is a little abnormal. While their science and medical technology are quite advanced, they have a quite rigid caste system.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I know his name. Since he’s visiting China, he must want to take a friendly attitude toward China.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

We can achieve mutual development through competition and cooperation, for example by sharing natural resources. I think there will be more competition with regard to military affairs.

Wu Tao, 47, quality inspector from Beijing

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

Not yet, but I’m definitely going to go. I saw pictures my friend took there and thought they were amazing.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

It’s an ancient and mysterious country.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I know nothing about him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

We had a war before, and now both are large countries. Economic development matters most to both parties. In recent years, their economy has developed faster than us. We need to strengthen cooperation.

Ma Zelu, 20, student from Beijing

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

No, I haven’t. I don’t really dare to go because gender inequality is still very much an issue in India. Girls are not really safe there.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

It’s an underdeveloped country but one with an ancient civilization.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I haven’t heard of him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

China and India are developing very fast. It’s important for both countries to cooperate on economic matters. China can help India improve their railway system—after all, I often see pictures of Indian people riding on top of their crowded trains. Meanwhile India has a competitive IT industry, with which China can seek to cooperate.

Ke Min, 30, consultant from Hubei province

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

No, I haven’t. I may consider going there in the future.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

Bollywood, religion, and images of people riding on top of trains.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I don’t know anything about him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

China and India should cooperate with each other. The IT industry is well-developed in India while China is good at manufacturing, so both countries can learn from each other.

Zhao Rui, 40, filmmaker from the Inner Mongolia region

Have you ever been to India? If so, what was it like? If not, would you want to go?

No, I haven’t. I don’t want to go there. India is a disorderly country with bad public security. But some of my friends have been there. They liked it.

When someone mentions India, what are the first things you think of?

Buddhism.

What do you know about Narendra Modi, who is visiting China this week? What are your impressions of him?

I don’t know anything about him.

What are the most important issues facing China’s relationship with India? What are the areas that hold the most potential for development of the relationship?

Both China and India are developing countries with large populations. Since both countries are developing now, there may be competition between them. The rise of one country doesn’t mean to a need to suppress the other. Both countries should understand, cooperate with and trust each other. The cultural sector may hold the most potential for the development of the Chinese and Indian relationship.

--Hu Xin and Hu Chao