Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend a series of leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation in Myanmar from Nov. 12 to 14, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang announced Wednesday. The meetings, to be held in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw, will include the 17th China-ASEAN leaders' meeting (10+1); the 17th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea leaders' meeting (10+3); and the 9th East Asia Summit. Li will also pay an official visit to Myanmar at the invitation of Myanmar's President U Thein Sein. Myanmar currently holds the rotating chair of the ASEAN.

2014 marks the 11th anniversary of the China-ASEAN (10+1) strategic partnership. Premier Li Keqiang regards the past ten years as “the golden ten years”. From this year, the two sides will begin to work on a “diamond ten years”.

According to Xu Liping, professor of the National Institute of International Strategy of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, this year is the first of the “diamond ten years”, so at the China-ASEAN leaders’ meeting, both sides will propose a set of frameworks and plans. Next year will be the China-ASEAN maritime cooperation year. Maritime cooperation will be another focus of the meeting.

Xu Liping points out that the East Asia Summit usually puts emphasis on security issues. While at the ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea leaders' meeting, it remains to be seen whether the FTA negotiation between China, Japan and South Korea will make any progress. If the leaders of China and Japan meet at the APEC meeting, talks on the FTA talk will hopefully make progress.

Since last year, the “Silk Road Economic Zone”, the “21 Century Maritime Silk Road”, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and other major initiatives proposed by China are all important issues for the ASEAN countries. Topics such as interconnection and interworking between China and the ASEAN countries and infrastructure construction will be discussed at the APEC meeting as well as the “10+1” meeting.

According to Xu Liping, the relationship between China and Myanmar is in a phase of adjustment. The two countries used to be close. During the course of Myanmar's democratization process, western countries have basically lifted economic sanctions. The diplomatic policy of Myanmar is no longer China-oriented but seeks a greater leveel of balance among major powers. China and Myanmar have established a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. Premier Li Keqiang’s visit will enhance the mutual political trust and consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.