Vice-President Hu Starts Visit to Myanmar

Chinese Vice-President Starts Visit to Myanmar

Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao arrived in Yangon Sunday noon, starting his three-day official visit to Myanmar, the first leg of his five-nation tour.

Hu arrived by a special plane as guest of Maung Aye,Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar.

A number of Myanmar high-ranking officials including Maung Aye, Chinese Embassy staffs and some representatives of overseas Chinese in Yangon went to the airport to greet the Chinese vice-president.

In his written statement upon his arrival, Hu said he is "very pleased" to pay an official visit to Myanmar.

He said that China and Myanmar are linked by common mountains and rivers and the "pawkphaw" sentiments between the two peoples can be dated back to ancient times.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries," Hu went on to say. "Over the past half a century, peoples of China and Myanmar have all along sympathized with and supported each other and the friendly relations between the two countries have been developing steadily".

As proven by past experience, the Chinese vice-president pointed out, to maintain the friendly contacts and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries not only serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also contributes to stability and cooperation in the region.

Hu also said: "Bilateral relations between China and Myanmar are gaining a good momentum of development at the turn of the century.During my visit, I will have an exchange of views with leaders of Myanmar on bilateral relations and on issues of common interest".

After his Myanmar visit ends on July 18, Hu will visit Thailand, Indonesia, Byelorussia and Kazhakhstan.