1st LD-Writethru: Xi meets Myanmar President U Thein Sein

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Myanmar President U Thein Sein on Friday, hoping to boost border trade and personnel exchange and pledging to continue offering help for reconstruction in Myanmar's flood-hit areas.

Xi said the president attached great importance to bilateral relations, as shown by the presence at China's commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

During the Second World War, China was the main Eastern battlefield and Myanmar was also an important Asian theater, said Xi when talking with the Myanmar president at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

People from both countries made great contributions to the victory of WWII, said Xi, adding China's commemoration aimed to remember history and martyrs and jointly safeguard hard-won peace with other countries.

China and Myanmar have long been friendly neighbors, weathering hard times together and helping each other, Xi stressed.

During a meeting in April, the two leaders agreed to firmly lead China-Myanmar relations in the right direction, from a strategic height and for the long run, and to put the fundamental interests of people in both countries, Xi said..

China appreciates Myanmar's support of the "Belt and Road" regional trade and infrastructure initiative. China expects to closely coordinate with Myanmar for relevant projects, to promote Myanmar's economic and social development, he said.

The Chinese side is also willing to discuss measures to expand normal trade and personnel exchange at China's border areas with Myanmar to serve the people of the two countries, said Xi.

China will continue to provide aid to Myanmar for the latter's reconstruction in flood-devastated regions.

President U Thein Sein called the Chinese celebration a big success.

Myanmar also suffered aggression during WWII and people rose up to fight against invaders, he said, adding his attendance at the Chinese commemoration was to remember history along with China and show the importance of bilateral relations. ( Myanmar thanked China for providing a large amount of help and support for a long time, especially the timely rescue and relief in recent flood disasters of the country, he said.

Myanmar looks forward to deepening cooperation in infrastructure and other fields with China, he said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also held a meeting with U Thein Sein. A joint news statement was issued after the meetings.

Both countries have been persistently adhering to the five principles of peaceful co-existence and bilateral relations have made great progress on the basis of mutual trust and benefit, said the statement.

The Chinese side supports Myanmar's choice of a development path in accordance with its national condition, and sincerely hopes that the country will maintain political stability, economic development, and ethnic and social harmony, it added.

Myanmar thanks China for its active role in boosting the peace process in the country, and welcomes China's continuous constructive role in that aspect, said the news release.

The two sides will keep strengthening cooperation in border management and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in their border areas, it said.

Myanmar extended condolences and sympathy to the dead and injured in recent warehouse explosions in north China's Tianjin Port. Endit