China is willing to give priority to sharing COVID-19 vaccines with Myanmar once a vaccine is developed, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee said.
Yang, who is currently visiting Myanmar, made his remarks when meeting with Myanmar leaders.
Myanmar President U Win Myint and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday held separate talks with Yang.
Recalling Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Myanmar in January, Yang said the successful visit has promoted bilateral relations into a new era.
The two sides supported and looked out for each other in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the traditional China-Myanmar "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship, he said.
Myanmar President U Win Myint (R) holds talks with Yang Jiechi (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, September 1, 2020. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry
China is willing to work with Myanmar to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and work together to build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, Yang added.
The senior Chinese diplomat called for strengthening high-level exchanges, and consolidating and deepening mutual political trust.
He noted the two sides should promote the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) cooperation, improve the level of bilateral trade and investment, speed up the resumption of work and production in both countries and deepen joint construction of the Belt and Road.
As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and China-Myanmar Year of Culture and Tourism, Yang also said the two sides should enhance people-to-people exchanges.
Yang called on China, Myanmar and other related parties to bring innovation into their cooperation within the China-ASEAN and Lancang-Mekong frameworks and focus on the fight against COVID-19 and development so as to promote regional peace, stability and joint development.
As joint initiators of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, China and Myanmar should firmly uphold international fairness and justice and practice multilateralism, Yang stressed.
He added, China appreciates Myanmar's firm support on issues concerning China's core interests and will continue to support Myanmar's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and dignity.
Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi (R) holds talks with Yang Jiechi (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, September 1, 2020. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry
The Myanmar leaders expressed their gratitude for China's valuable support and assistance to Myanmar's peace and development and appreciated China's constructive role in Myanmar's reconciliation process.
Myanmar is willing to work with China to overcome the impact of the epidemic as soon as possible, deepen high-level exchanges, promote bilateral economic cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination on the international stage so as to build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, they noted.
The Myanmar leaders also pledged to adhere to the one-China principle and voiced support for China to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests.
Yang also met with Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing during his visit.
Invited by the governments of Myanmar, Spain and Greece, Yang, is on official visits to the three countries from September 1 to 4.