China-Myanmar Friendship Highlighted in Yangon

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 13, 2001

China-Myanmar Friendship Highlighted in Yangon

China will make concerted efforts with Myanmar to comprehensively implement the joint statement on bilateral cooperation so as to enable the two peoples to be good neighbors and partners forever and make their friendship last from generation to generation, said visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin December 12.

Chinese President Visits Myanmar

Chinese President Jiang Zemin made the remarks Wednesday afternoon in his talks with Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar.

Jiang Brings "Pawkphaw" Friendship to Myanmar

Than Shwe welcomed Jiang, saying Jiang has brought the Chinese people's friendship to Myanmar and helped deepen the "pawkphaw" ( fraternal) friendship between the two peoples, and this visit will be recorded in the history of bilateral friendly contacts.

Jiang said that China and Myanmar are two friendly neighbors with a deep "pawkphaw" friendship, and Myanmar was among one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the new China.

Leaders of the older generations cultivated bilateral friendship and jointly sponsored the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, noted Jiang, adding that the two countries took the lead in solving border issues left over by the history through consultations.

He said that leaders of the younger generation of the two countries have continued to keep close contacts with increasing mutual trust and friendship.

Bilateral Relations

Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields have had steady development and withstood the test of changes of the international situations, said Jiang.

He attributed it to the two countries' adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, good-neighborly friendship, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, mutual respect and equal treatment, saying this has laid a firm foundation for the continuous progress of bilateral relations.

Citing the two countries' similar historical experience, Jiang pointed to the consolidation of bilateral relations during their struggles for independence and liberation, safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and building their countries.

He stressed that bilateral friendship is in the aspiration and fundamental interest of the two peoples, which has gained support from the two peoples, thus pushing forward the progress of bilateral ties.

Good-neighborly Friendship Important

Jiang noted that the development of China-Myanmar good- neighborly friendship is an important component of China's foreign policy, and this principle will not change.

Echoing Jiang, Than Shwe said Myanmar is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties, hoping that bilateral "pawkphaw" friendship will be carried forward from generation to generation.

He noted that the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence have become an important norm guiding international relations.

Myanmar to Continue to Follow "One China" Policy

He reiterated that Myanmar will continue to follow the "One China" policy and will never develop any official contacts with Taiwan.

Than Shwe also spoke highly of China's rapid development, saying that Beijing's successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games and China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) indicate that China will make new and important contributions to world peace and development in the new century.

He said he hoped China, under the current international situations, will play a bigger role in safeguarding the just rights and interests of developing countries.

Jiang suggested that the two sides continue high-level contacts, enhance understandings and friendship, further cooperation in various fields and people-to-people contacts, promote the overall development of bilateral ties, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

Jiang said that under the new situation, both sides can strengthen their coordination in the United Nations, the WTO, east Asian cooperation and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) regional forum so as to contribute to international and regional stability and development.

On bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Jiang said China will continue to encourage Chinese business people to invest in Myanmar and will continue to offer possible assistance.

Further Cooperation

China will work with Myanmar to explore bilateral cooperation, said Jiang, suggesting that the two sides take agriculture, development of human and natural resources and infrastructural construction as their cooperative priority in the future.

Than Shwe agreed with Jiang, saying that Myanmar attaches importance to the development of friendly cooperation with China and thanks for China's support and assistance.

He briefed Jiang on bilateral cooperative prospects and welcomed Chinese businesses to Myanmar.

He also told Jiang about Myanmar's domestic situation, saying that his country is enjoying social stability and economic development, and the Myanmar government is making efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous country.

Jiang expressed his pleasure with Myanmar government's achievements in recent years, and said that China holds that the world is colorful, and every country is entitled to choosing a development path suited to its own conditions.

China Will Always Support Myanmar Government

China will, as always, continue to support Myanmar government' s efforts for safeguarding social stability and promoting economic progress, added Jiang.

They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest.

Jiang invited Than Shwe to visit China again and the latter accepted the invitation.

After the talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperative documents which cover frontier defense; economic and technological cooperation; encouragement, promotion and protection of investment; plant quarantine; animal quarantine and hygiene; fishery; and petroleum.

On Wednesday evening, Than Shwe hosted a dinner in honor of Jiang. They watched a performance given by local artists after the dinner.

Jiang arrived in Yangon at noon Wednesday for a four-day state visit to Myanmar as guest of Than Shwe.

Backgrounder

Than Shwe (Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar)

Rank: Senior General

Year of birth: 1933

Education: Passed the Anglo-vernacular 10th Standard from Kyaukse GHS

Army training: OTS 9th

Career-mil: Lt. platoon commander, MR 1st in 1953. Attached to the Psychological Warfare Department in 1958. Captain in the Mobile Psychological Warfare Company in 1960 and instructor, PS in 1963. Major, SO II, War Office in 1969. Lt. Col, commanding MR 1 in 1972 and SO I, War Office in 1976. Col in LID 88 in 1980. Commander, Southwest Region in 1983. Brig. Gen., Vice Chief of Staff in 1985. Major General in 1986. Lt. Gen. in 1987.

Political Career: Chairman, Party Regional Committee in Ayeyarwaddy Div, Central Executive Committee of the Burma Socialist Program Party in 1988. Chairman of the SLORC since 1992.

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