Myanmar president sends new year congratulation message

Myanmar President U Thein Sein send a new year message to the Chinese Embassy in Yangon Thursday, congratulating the entire Chinese people on the occasion of the Chinese traditional Lunar New Year which is falling on Sunday.

U Thein Sein said in his message that Myanmar and China had a long history of friendly and cultural exchange which is dated back to more than 2000 years ago's Han Dynasty.

In the year 802, as special envoy group, ancient Myanmar arts and cultural troupe traveled to Chang An, then the capital of China's Tang Dynasty, and gave performances which was portrayed by Chinese Poet Bai Juyi, he recalled.

With common languages and identical culture, ethnic nationalities inhabiting across the two countries' border have long built firm foundation for the enhancement of the two countries' friendship, trade and prosperity, he said.

He noted that successive governments of Myanmar and China sticked to a policy of development of the two countries' bilateral friendly ties, pointing out that in the history of long exchange between the two countries, both sides regarded each other as important countries of exchange which cannot be lacked.

He stressed that in view of the future, the two countries' already existing traditional friendly ties would not be affected, calling for strengthening of cooperation between the two governments in respective sectors and development of friendly ties between the two peoples.

Despite some disagreements in the long history of the two countries, the two sides successfully settled it through coordination, taking considering of the interest of the two peoples and friendship, he noted.

He pledged to continue endeavors for the maintenance of the interest of the peoples of Myanmar and China and consolidation and development of the friendship between the two peoples.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Li Junhua, in a new year reception held on Wednesday in Yangon, also extended his festive blessing to the Myanmar people, Myanmar-Chinese residing and Chinese businessmen investing in the country as well as teachers lecturing and students studying in the country.

Recalling the year 2012, Ambassador Li said the China-Myanmar bilateral ties maintained a trend of growth in cooperation in respective sectors. There were not only frequent exchange between the governments, parliaments, military personnel and businessmen but also between personnel of civil organizations, think-tank and press media during the year.

Chinese consul-general in Mandalay Yu Boren also held a new year reception on Feb. 1, attended by Mandalay Chief Minister U Ye Myint and representatives of Myanmar-Chinese residing in the northern part of Myanmar.