Myanmar president meets Chinese state councilor

NAY PYI TAW, May 11 -- Myanmar President U Thein Sein met with visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jing here on Monday with both sides pledging to deepen their cooperation.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary diplomatic establishment between China and Myanmar, Yang said leaders of the two countries continued to maintain close contact and reach consensus on pushing forward China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic cooperation.

China is willing to implement the consensus, expand party-to- party exchange, deepen cooperation in the fields of agriculture, financing, culture and health, Yang said, adding that the Chinese side will push productive cooperation and connectivity project under the framework of "Belt and Road" initiative to gain greater achievement in the new era of China-Myanmar relations.

Yang voiced support of Myanmar's efforts in maintaining domestic stability and achieving national reconciliation, hoping that the Myanmar side will create conditions for the maintenance of stability and development on the China-Myanmar border.

U Thein Sein said his country values Myanmar-China fraternal friendship and highly appreciates the development of the two countries' friendly ties.

He also expressed Myanmar's wishes in actively participating in China's "Belt and Silk" initiative, hoping that it will further boost the two countries' mutual connectivity and industrial cooperation.

The "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road," is aimed at reviving the famous ancient trade routes that span Asia, Africa and Europe.

Taking the opportunity of the 65th anniversary diplomatic ties between the two countries, he called for pushing Myanmar-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage.

The president also expressed Myanmar's willingness to closely coordinate with the Chinese side and maintain the stability of Myanmar-China border area.