YANGON, April 25 -- Chairman of Myanmar's ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) U Shwe Mann on Saturday highly appreciated China's "Belt and Road" initiative which is aimed at rejuvenating two ancient trade routes and further opening up markets within and beyond the region.

The "Belt and Road" initiative refers to the " Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road".

U Shwe Mann, who is to pay a goodwill visit to China, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that China's "Belt and Road" initiative is very interesting and it will bring development to the surrounding countries along the Silk Road.

The trip of U Shwe Mann, who is also speaker of Myanmar's House of Representatives and Union Parliament, is made at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

"We valued the goodwill visit and it plays an important role between the two counties," he said.

He also stressed that the trip will promote the friendly relation not only between the two parties but also between the two countries.

Touching on the 2015 General Election set for early November, he said that the members of USDP party will strive for winning the free and fair general election.

Relating to fighting occurring between the government's military column and the ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar, he expressed his belief that the occurrence has no impact on friendly relationship between China and Myanmar.

U Shwe Mann also called for peace and stability of the border areas which is a need for both countries.