Chinese vice president holds talks with Myanmar counterpart in Nay Pyi Taw

NAY PYI TAW, Dec. 17-- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, who is here to attend the closing ceremony of the China- ASEAN Cultural Exchange Year, held talks with his Myanmar counterpart U Nyan Tun in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday, documents acquired here Wednesday showed.

As the practices of the past 64 years since China and Myanmar established diplomatic relations have shown, firmly sticking to the general direction of China-Myanmar Friendship, observing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and developing long- lasting, healthy, stable bilateral ties are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, the vice president said.

Noting that China-Myanmar relations have made significant progress in the past year, Li said China would like to make joint efforts with Myanmar to strictly implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and relevant outcome documents.

He stressed both sides need to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communications and learn from each other's governing experience.

China hopes to advance relevant projects in a coordinated and all-round way and enhance infrastructure connectivity under the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, he said.

China would also closely coordinate with Myanmar to strengthen cooperation in the power and agricultural sectors, and enhance exchanges in the fields of culture, youth affairs and media information, he added.

As the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, Myanmar has played an important role in promoting China-ASEAN relations, the Chinese vice president said.

In 2014, China and the 10-member group initiated negotiations on upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), jointly signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and held rich and colorful China-ASEAN Cultural Exchange Year activities.

China hopes to maintain close communication with ASEAN countries and push forward cooperative initiatives to benefit peoples of the two sides, Li said.

For his part, U Nyan Tun said Myanmar and China have developed close ties under the guidance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, bringing well-being to peoples of the two countries.

Noting that China has become Myanmar's top investor and largest trade partner, he said Myanmar is looking forward to closer cooperation with China in various fields including economy, trade and investment, infrastructure, special economic zones construction as well as culture and education, to realize mutual development.