China Keen to Promote Bilateral Relations with Myanmar

China Keen to Promote Bilateral Relations with Myanmar

The further promotion of good-neighborly and cooperative relations between China and Myanmar is an important part of China's diplomacy concerning its surrounding areas, Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Tuesday.

During talks with Maung Aye, vice-chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar, Hu said that Sino-Myanmese friendship and cooperation has been developing steadily over the past decades despite the great changes that have taken place in the international arena.

There have been frequent exchange of high-level visits between the two countries in recent years, and bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade, cultural and other areas has expanded.

In addition, the two countries have supported and cooperated with each other in international and regional affairs, Hu said, adding that "We are satisfied with the smooth development of Sino- Myanmese relations."

The Chinese vice-president also expressed his appreciation for the Myanmese government's consistent adherence to the one China stance and its support for China's reunification.

Hu said he hopes that the tradition of high-level exchanges of visits will continue in the future, and government departments and people from all walks of life between the two countries will increase exchanges.

He also hopes that the two sides will expand economic and trade cooperation, and promote consultation and cooperation in international and regional affairs in order to consolidate their traditional friendship and bring long-term and good-neighborly relations in the 21st century.

Hu briefed the visitors on China's reform and opening-up as well as its modernization drive. He wished the Myanmese people more success in building their country.

Maung Aye said that the two countries are linked by rivers and mountains, and their peoples have a time-honored friendship, noting that bilateral relations have developed satisfactorily since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries five decades ago.

There are no pending issues to be solved between the two countries, he said, noting that the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence serves as the cornerstone of brotherly relations between the two countries.

He said that Myanmar is willing to work with China to develop their relations in the 21st century, adding that Myanmar hopes to maintain high-level visits, expand economic and trade cooperation, implement a border management agreement, and intensify anti-drug cooperation to maintain a safe and stable border between the two countries.

The Myanmese leader said that his country has long followed the one China principle, and the Myanmese government has taken a clear- cut and firm stance on the Taiwan issue. Myanmar will never develop official relations with Taiwan at any time, he said.

He offered congratulations to the return of Hong Kong and Macao to China. He said the smooth return demonstrates that the policy of "one country, two systems" is successful, expressing the belief that the Chinese people will accomplish their objective of peaceful reunification of the motherland.

He said that developing countries should intensify unity, and work together to safeguard their own interests.

Maung Aye also invited Hu to visit Myanmar. Hu expressed thanks for the invitation.

Prior to the talks, Hu presided over a welcoming ceremony in honor of Maung Aye.

The two leaders also attended a signing ceremony of a joint statement on a blueprint for future bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.