China, Myanmar agree to deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation

China and Myanmar Friday issued a joint statement on deepening bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation. [Special coverage]

At the invitation of President U Thein Sein of Myanmar, which holds the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang paid an official visit to Myanmar and attended a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation from Nov. 12 to 14 in Nay Pyi Taw, exchanging views and reaching extensive consensuses with Myanmar leaders on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

In the joint statement, the two sides reviewed the development of the China-Myanmar friendly relations and spoke highly of their traditional "Pauk-Phaw" friendship.

Facing profound and complex changes in regional and global situations, the two countries are sharing more and more common interests in development and security, they agreed.

Maintaining sustained, healthy and steady growth of bilateral relations not only conforms to the wishes and fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also contributes to peace and prosperity in the region.

While observing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the two sides agreed to strengthen all-round cooperation in politics, economy, trade, security as well as military and people-to-people areas, on the basis of mutual trust and reciprocal win-win, to lift the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Myanmar to a higher level.

In the statement, China reaffirmed respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar, commended the progress in Myanmar's reform and development, and expressed its support for Myanmar's peace process and efforts to promote the country's stability and development.

Myanmar reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy, its position of recognizing the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate government representing the whole China, and its firm support for China's stands on issues of Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang as well as for China's great cause of peaceful reunification.

The two sides decided to maintain close high-level exchanges and strengthen strategic communication. The two sides agreed to increase mutual visits and friendly cooperation at all levels between their parliaments, governments, judicial bodies and political parties, and maintain irregular vice-ministerial level consultations between the two foreign ministries.

In the statement, China and Myanmar expressed support for expanding friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and law enforcement agencies to maintain regional security and stability.

They also condemned all forms of terrorist activities, and agreed to conduct the Mekong River basin law enforcement and security cooperation among China, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, strengthen collaboration in such areas as regional anti-terrorism, anti-drug and combating transnational crimes, enhance joint border management to safeguard security and stability on the borders.

Myanmar welcomed China's initiatives of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.