China and Myanmar have agreed to work together to build a community with a shared future, opening a new era of bilateral ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi announced during their formal talks in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday.

Hailing deep "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship between China and Myanmar, Xi called for joint efforts to promote bilateral relations to new heights.

Aung San Suu Kyi said that Myanmar was willing to join hands with China to build a community with a shared future and bring benefits to people in both countries. 

According to a joint statement released by the two sides, China and Myanmar have agreed to deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and accelerate the construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), a crucial part of their cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

This is the second day of Xi's two-day state visit to Myanmar, which is the first trip to the Asian neighbor by a Chinese president after an interval of 19 years. 

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The CMEC, which is already under construction, is a top priority for the two countries as they jointly build the BRI, Xi said, stressing that the two sides should promote their five-year plan for economic and trade cooperation, carry out cooperation in a production capacity, and give a stronger "sense of gain" to people of the two countries – particularly those in Myanmar.

The two sides have also agreed to give further play to the leading role of the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone project in the economic corridor, advance the construction of the China-Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone and the New Urban Development of Yangon City, and make overall arrangements to boost the interconnectivity of roads, railways and power grids, the Chinese president added.

China would like to strengthen financial cooperation with Myanmar, encourage more investment in Myanmar, and also welcome more exports from Myanmar, according to Xi.

In addition, both sides should give full play to the geographic advantage of the economic corridor, actively strengthening communication and cooperation between Myanmar and China's southwestern province of Yunnan and other provinces, he stressed.

The two sides have agreed to designate the year 2020 as the China-Myanmar Year of Culture and Tourism, hold a series of joint celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and strengthen social and people-to–people exchanges, the statement said.

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Both sides "expressed satisfaction on the steadfast adherence to the jointly initiated Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence since the establishment of diplomatic relations 70 years ago," according to the statement.

The five principles include mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

During their talks, Aung San Suu Kyi said Myanmar greatly values its friendship with China and thanked China's understanding and support for Myanmar during a long period of time, hailing mutual respect, understanding and support between the two countries.

China's support is not motivated by self-interest but aimed at defending fairness and justice, which is highly precious for small countries like Myanmar, she stressed.

Some countries have used excuses such as human rights, ethnic and religious issues to grossly interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, she noted, adding that Myanmar will never accept pressure and interference like this.

She said Myanmar was willing to actively promote the construction of the CMEC and deepen practical cooperation with China.

Xi told her that China was a trustworthy friend of Myanmar. China always believes that people in every country have the right to choose a development path suited to their own national conditions and no country should interfere in other countries' internal affairs, he said, vowing that China will continue to support Myanmar to safeguard its dignity and legitimate rights and interests.

China will continue to play a constructive role in supporting Myanmar's efforts to facilitate peace process and ethnic reconciliation inside the country, Xi said.

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The two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in various fields after their talks.

Xi also met with Myanmar President U Win Myint and Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing during the tour. He wrapped up the visit and left Myanmar on Saturday afternoon.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, January 18, 2020. /Xinhua Photo)