Chinese FM meets Myanmar's minister of office of state counselor

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with U Kyaw Tint Swe, Myanmar's minister of the office of the state counselor, here on Friday, on the sidelines of the foreign ministers' meeting of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC).

Wang said during his meeting with U Kyaw Tint Swe that China and Myanmar have seen a stable transition of bilateral relations, displaying a positive development tendency.

Myanmar's new government cherishes the traditional friendship with China and pursues a China-friendly policy, which is highly appreciated by the Chinese side, he said.

China is ready to work with Myanmar to prepare well the high-level exchanges slated for next year, said the Chinese foreign minister.

He promised to boost multi-sector cooperations between the two neighbors in line with Myanmar's development needs.

He hopes that Myanmar would inherit the spirit of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference, which was held earlier this year, sparing no effort to achieve national reconciliation and stability.

Wang said China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is willing to play a positive role in Myanmar's peace process.

On LMC, Wang said it is a new type of sub-regional cooperation mechanism independently and voluntarily initiated by the six countries along the river.

The cooperation is based on the principles of mutual consultation, common contribution and shared benefits, in a bid to better benefit peoples in related countries, he added.

Meanwhile, the LMC complies with the Charter of the United Nations, abides by basic rules of international relations, and is totally in line with the common interests of countries in the sub-region, he said.

China is willing to join hands with Myanmar and other relevant sides to push for the rapid and efficient development of LMC, said the Chinese foreign minister.

U Kyaw Tint Swe, for his part, said Myanmar always looks to the relations with China at a strategic level.

He pointed out that China was the first non-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) country visited by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and Wang was the first visiting foreign minister Myanmar's new government has welcomed.

The Myanmar official said his country is willing to further enhance the ties with China and promote substantial cooperation to benefit more Myanmar people.

He said Myanmar appreciates China's positive role in its peace process, highly evaluates the China-Myanmar Diplomacy and Defense "2+2" Consultation, which was held last month, wishing that the mechanism would play a bigger role in future.

With regard to the LMC, U Kyaw Tint Swe said it is particularly important at this stage for countries in the sub-region to boost the LMC mechanism amid a sluggish regional and global economy.

Actively participating in LMC is in line with Myanmar's national interests and brings tangible benefits for Myanmar people, he said.

Myanmar appreciates China's important role as co-chair of the meeting, and will continue enhancing cooperation with China under the framework of LMC, he added. Endit