China and Myanmar agreed on Tuesday to further promote comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.
At a meeting with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Daw, capital of Myanmar, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said China has attached great importance to its relations with Myanmar as the two neighbors share "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship.
China is ready to join hands with Myanmar to build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future and take the lead to implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, Qin said.
China sincerely hopes Myanmar will achieve stability and national development, he said, adding that China supports Myanmar in exploring a development path with Myanmar characteristics that suits its national conditions.
China supports Myanmar in advancing its political transition process and backs relevant parties in the country to properly address differences and seek national reconciliation under the constitutional and legal framework, Qin said.
The international community should respect Myanmar's sovereignty and play a constructive role in helping Myanmar achieve peace and reconciliation, he added.
The Chinese side will continue to do what is in its power to help Myanmar in its development efforts, accelerate key cooperation projects of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and implement projects on agriculture, education and health care, among others, for the benefit of the Myanmar people, said the Chinese foreign minister.
Qin said China supports Myanmar improving its relations with Bangladesh, with related issues to be resolved through consultation, adding that China is willing to work with the two countries to expand China-Myanmar-Bangladesh pragmatic cooperation.
For his part, Min Aung Hlaing said that in the nearly 70 years since Myanmar and China established diplomatic relations, the two countries have always maintained the momentum of development and achieved fruitful results.
Myanmar is willing to work with China to further enhance Myanmar-China friendship and cooperation, and actively build a Myanmar-China community with a shared future, he said.
He added that Myanmar appreciates China's objective and impartial position on Myanmar-related issues, where China is welcome to play a greater role.
The Myanmar leader noted that Myanmar attaches great importance to protecting the safety of Chinese nationals and institutions in the country, and is always ready to cooperate with the Chinese side to maintain tranquility in the border areas of the two countries.
Qin also met with former Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council Than Shwe and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs Than Swe on Tuesday.
When meeting with Than Shwe, Qin said China has always been a good neighbor, friend and partner that Myanmar can rely on, and has always supported Myanmar in maintaining stability and promoting development.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang (R) shakes hands with Myanmar's Union Minister for Foreign Affairs Than Swe during their meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, May 2, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
During his meeting with Than Swe, Qin said China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly supports Myanmar in maintaining its independence and autonomy, maintaining political stability and achieving sustainable development, and supports Myanmar in exploring a development path that is consistent with its own national conditions and with Myanmar's characteristics, and in steadily advancing the political transformation process.
China is willing to strengthen communication with Myanmar, expand bilateral cooperation in agriculture, border trade and other fields, increase support for Myanmar's economic development, promote people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, and deepen cultural heritage protection and religious exchanges, he added.
Than Swe said Myanmar firmly adheres to the one-China policy and firmly supports China on issues related to its core interests.
Myanmar is looking forward to working with China to deepen cooperation in agriculture, transportation, energy and connectivity, actively promote the construction of landmark projects along the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor and implement more projects that improve people's well-being for the benefits of the two peoples, he said.
(With input from Xinhua)
(Cover: Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing (R) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Nay Pyi Daw, capital of Myanmar, May 2, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)