Chinese premier, Myanmar leaders vow to boost bilateral ties

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Myanmar President U Thein Sein held talks on Friday, reaching broad consensus on boosting bilateral ties and strategic cooperation. [Special coverage]

Noting the profound China-Myanmar "Pauk-Phaw" friendship, Li told U Thein Sein that bilateral ties have developed significantly on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence since the two sides established diplomatic relations 64 years ago.

China firmly support Myanmar to stick to a developing path that fits its national conditions and is willing to join hands with Myanmar to elevate bilateral strategic cooperation in a comprehensive manner, so that they could be "good neighbors, good friends and good partners forever."

China stands ready to work with Myanmar to advance the construction of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, so as to promote interconnectivity, social and economic development in Myanmar and the region, Li said.

The Chinese premier suggested that China and Myanmar maintain high-level exchanges, give full play to the role of consultative mechanisms between their governments and political parties, enhance strategic communication and deepen political mutual trust.

The two countries should conduct cooperation on large-scale projects and the Chinese government supports its enterprises to participate in Myanmar's infrastructure construction to make sure that more local people could benefit from bilateral cooperation, said Li.

The Chinese premier also called for enhanced cooperation with Myanmar in such fields as energy, agriculture, finance, high-tech, disaster relief and addressing climate change, among others.

For his part, U Thein Sein hailed the traditional Myanmar-China friendship, vowing to take Li's visit as an opportunity to further enhance communication and cooperation with China.

Myanmar will support and actively participate in the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Silk Road Economic Belt, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, he said.

Myanmar will also conduct cooperation with China in large-scale projects, increase people-to-people exchanges and promote bilateral ties to a new height, the president said.

In a separate meeting with Myanmar's Speaker of the Union Parliament and the House of Representatives U Shwe Mann on Friday, Li expressed the hope that both sides make joint efforts to propel pragmatic cooperation, enrich the content of China-Myanmar friendship and consolidate the public opinion basis of bilateral relations.

Calling China "a reliable friend, neighbor and partner of Myanmar," U Shwe Mann said Li's successful visit to Myanmar is of great significance, and the Myanmar parliament will continue to back and enhance the development of bilateral ties.

The Chinese premier also visited a school in the Myanmar capital on Friday with gifts of computers and stationeries, pledging more scholarships and opportunities for Myanmar students to study in China.

Li arrived here Wednesday for a series of leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation and an official visit to Myanmar.