China, Myanmar to advance regional integration, development

China and Myanmar have agreed to jointly combat cross-border crimes, strengthen economic cooperation and promote stable development and regional integration. The agreement was reached on Wednesday during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital city of Myanmar.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that for more than 70 years, China and Myanmar have consistently upheld the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence that they jointly advocate, setting a good example of relations between countries of different sizes based on equality and mutual support.

Wang expressed China's willingness to work with Myanmar to inherit and promote the "paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship, continuing to support and help each other. He highlighted the recently concluded third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, noting that China adopted a resolution at the meeting to comprehensively deepen reforms, build a high-level socialist market economy, and promote high-quality development and high-level opening-up. Wang stated that these efforts would provide new opportunities and momentum for China-Myanmar cooperation.

Wang also mentioned China's commitment to deepening Belt and Road cooperation, effectively implementing the three major global initiatives, and steadily advancing the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future.

Both sides should maintain high-level exchanges and enhance political mutual trust; steadily promote the construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and ensure the safe and smooth operation of China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project; strengthen security cooperation and jointly combat cross-border criminal activities; accelerate cooperation in agriculture and other fields to help Myanmar improve people's livelihoods, Wang noted.

Looking ahead to the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Myanmar next year, Wang said both countries would carry out a series of celebratory activities, strengthen cultural exchanges and consolidate public support.

Than Swe affirmed Myanmar's strong emphasis on its relations with China, adherence to the one-China principle and support for the Belt and Road Initiative, the three major global initiatives, and a community with a shared future for mankind.

He expressed Myanmar's readiness to work closely with China, engage in exchanges at all levels and expedite the construction of major projects under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor framework. Than Swe also emphasized deepening cooperation in agriculture, energy and tourism to benefit the Myanmar people.

Moreover, Than Swe assured that Myanmar would make all-out efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese project personnel in Myanmar, effectively safeguard security and stability at the Myanmar-China border and jointly combat cross-border crimes with China.

The two sides exchanged views on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC). They agreed to implement the important consensus reached at the fourth LMC Leaders' Meeting to anchor the goal of building a community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries, promote more fruitful LMC results, and jointly promote stable development and regional integration.

(With input from Xinhua)