Chinese envoy concludes Myanmar visit

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin concluded a three-day visit to Myanmar Saturday after meeting with top officials and politicians of the country.

As a special envoy of the Chinese government, Liu met with Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi, Speaker of the Union Parliament U Shwe Mann and Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Taw.

During the meetings, Liu expressed appreciation to Myanmar's government, political parties and all sectors of the society for their efforts in the successful and smooth holding of the general election.

He also congratulated the NLD for winning the absolute majority of parliamentary seats.

As a friendly neighbor, Liu said, China has always respected and supported Myanmar people's independent choice of development path, which conforms to Myanmar's own status, hoping that political parties in Myanmar would continue to work together to push forward key political agendas to create a better future for the country.

Liu stressed that in the new situation, China would like to work together with Myanmar in deepening exchanges at different levels and expanding economic, trade and cultural cooperation to push the China-Myanmar Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership to a new high, so as to bring practical benefits to the two peoples.

China is willing to continue supporting Myanmar's economic development and improvement of people's wellbeing as its capacity allows, Liu said.

Welcoming the Chinese special envoy's visit, leaders of Myanmar government, political parties, parliament and the armed forces said the visit reflected China's appreciation and support towards Myanmar's post-election political process as well as Myanmar-China relations.

Myanmar is willing to continue to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to consolidate traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and bring welfare to peoples of the two countries, said the Myanmar leaders.

Myanmar President U Thein Sein said the Myanmar government respects the election result and will push forward the transition process in accordance with the law.

He thanked China for its assistance to Myanmar's socio-economic development, saying that the current government would like to continue to work with the Chinese side in enhancing the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperation.

Aung San Suu Kyi held that NLD would make efforts in pushing the country's political reconciliation and form a new government with an inclusive and cooperative spirit.

NLD and the new government would continue to adopt a friendly policy towards China and push the two countries' relations to a new stage, she said.

U Shwe Mann noted that the Myanmar parliament would prepare for the smooth convening of the next term and push for a stable transition of power transfer in accordance with law.

Noting that the China-Myanmar friendship has become a consensus, he believed that the new term of the parliament would continue to strengthen cooperation with China in the legislative sector and play an active role in pushing Myanmar-China relations.

Min Aung Hlaing maintained that the Myanmar armed forces would continue to promote the post-election political process and maintain social security and stability under law for the sake of the long-term interests of the country and the people.

He said the armed forces of the two countries have a deep friendship, and that no matter how the internal and external situations change, Myanmar would stick to the friendly policy towards China and make efforts to boost bilateral ties. Endit