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Interview: Myanmar president pledges to build better relations with China

Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw has pledged to build better relations and cooperation with China through his current state visit to the friendly neighbor, which is a trip aiming with high hope to bring about enhancement of people-to-people contact.

U Htin Kyaw made the written remarks available on Monday in reply to questions from Chinese media before he began his visit to China last Thursday.

The two countries' better future relations are expected to contribute not only to the bilateral friendship but also to the cooperation in bringing about peace and stability in the region and the world.

He recalled that Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi visited China as the first foreign trip outside the ASEAN region in August 2016 after the new government took office. That trip had resulted in much success in promoting bilateral friendship and was acknowledged by both countries.

Soon after the new government assumed office, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Myanmar as its first foreign guest, reflecting China's appreciation over relations with Myanmar, he said.

In the economic cooperation sector, he noted that China stands as Myanmar's biggest trading partner and investor, and will always remain in the status.

He vowed that the two countries' peoples will closely exchange based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Asked about the Belt and Road Initiative, U Htin Kyaw said Myanmar plays a key role in the initiative as Myanmar is a big country in the Southeast Asia region both geographically and strategically.

He believes that countries taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative would enjoy benefits.

Regarding Chinese investment in Myanmar, the president invited investment specially in production sector. Myanmar has promulgated new investment laws in 2016, offering equal opportunities to local and foreign investors.

He also stressed the importance of border trade between the two countries, disclosing that in addition to five border trade points opened with China, the two countries are coordinating to build Muse (Myanmar)-Ruili (China) cross-border economic cooperation zone.

He added that enhancement of economic cooperation would increase friendship between the two peoples and will contribute to the building of a mutually beneficial socio-environment.

Asked about his late father Min Thu Wun, who was a noted writer, the president said his father once translated poems from China into Myanmar language in about 1961 to enable Myanmar people to read, thus promoting the understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

U Htin Kyaw expected more mutual exchanges in wider sectors of literature, culture, arts and sports to promote friendship between the two countries.

Asked about Myanmar's expectation of the role of China in Myanmar's national reconciliation efforts and peace process, U Htin Kyaw expressed the belief that since China is Myanmar's good neighbor, China would support and assist Myanmar's peace process in a constructive manner.

He cited that the two countries' liaison mechanisms of foreign ministries and defense ministries have sponsored 2+2 high level meetings for two times to assist Myanmar's peace process. Endit