Vice premier attends SEA Games opening ceremony in Myanmar

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong attended the opening ceremony of the 27th Southeast Asian Games held in Myanmar and met with Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Vice Presidents Sai Mauk Kham and U Nyan Tun separately over Tuesday and Wednesday.

Liu said her attendance to the opening ceremony not only aimed to share the grand event but also to implement the important consensus of both sides to push forward China-Myanmar friendly cooperation.

China values the China-Myanmar "paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship, as the two countries have shared interests and a common destiny, she said, calling on the two sides to keep to the right direction of the bilateral relations and ensure its sustained and steady development from a strategic and long-term perspective.

Noting that China and Myanmar are both witnessing a critical period for development, Liu stressed that the two countries should deepen practical cooperation that is in line with both sides' development strategies and push for progresses in major cooperation projects.

In light of Myanmar's assumption of the alternate chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014, Liu said China is willing to make joint efforts with Myanmar to enhance China-ASEAN ties.

The 27th SEA Games has set a model for the China-Myanmar cooperation in culture and sports, and the two sides should take the opportunity to further promote cultural exchanges in various forms and keep enriching the content of China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership, she said.

U Thein Sein expressed Myanmar's thanks to China for its assistance to Myanmar's holding of the SEA Games, underlining that Liu's presence at the opening ceremony has reflected the importance China attaches on the China-Myanmar relationship and its consistent support to Myanmar.

No matter how domestic and international situation changes, Myanmar would always maintain friendly ties with China and keep deepening comprehensive cooperation between the two sides, he added.

Liu and Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun also witnessed the signing of an agreement on bilateral economic and technology cooperation and the exchange of notes on a couple of projects.

Liu arrived in Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday afternoon for a two-day visit to Myanmar at the invitation of U Nyan Tun.