Xi urges China and Myanmar to deepen strategic cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged China and Myanmar to deepen strategic cooperation and keep advancing the construction of key projects of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing on the sidelines of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. 

China and Myanmar are a community of shared future, sharing weal and woe and helping each other, Xi said, noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

China will uphold the concepts and principles of good-neighborliness, amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and sharing a common destiny to work together with Myanmar to build a community with a shared future, jointly build high-quality development of the Belt and Road, and bring more benefits to the two peoples, Xi said.

China was the first country to send rescue forces and provide emergency humanitarian supplies to Myanmar and is willing to continue to provide assistance to support Myanmar in rebuilding its homes, Xi said when talking about the strong earthquake in Myanmar, which caused heavy casualties and property losses not long ago.

China supports Myanmar to explore a development path suited to its national conditions, safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and steadily advance its domestic political agenda, Xi added.

Xi said he hoped that Myanmar would effectively ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects there and step up efforts to combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling and fraud.

Min Aung Hlaing said that the people of Myanmar will always remember China was the first country to send rescue forces to Myanmar after the earthquake, adding that Myanmar attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to always be a friendly neighbor China can trust.

He said Myanmar is committed to promoting bilateral cooperation in fields such as the economy, trade, and energy and will do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects in Myanmar.

Myanmar highly appreciates China's three global initiatives and the concept of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and is willing to work with China to meet common challenges.