China vows enhanced Myanmar ties

China and Myanmar vowed on Thursday to further enhance political trust with mutual respect, to advance major investment projects and to realize peaceful settlement of hostilities in northern Myanmar.

Premier Li Keqiang hosted a ceremony on Thursday to welcome Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's No 2 leader, who started a five-day official visit to China on Wednesday.

"China is the first country you've visited outside the Association of Southeast Asia Nations after taking office as state counselor, showing the importance the government of Myanmar and you yourself have attached to the bilateral relations," said Li.

The premier said China and Myanmar are closely connected by extensive mountains and rivers, and the two peoples call each other baobo (brothers and relatives).

Li said that bilateral cooperation should focus on the benefit of both peoples and achievement of win-win outcomes.

China is willing to link its strategies with Myanmar's, to cooperate in key areas and to advance major projects such as the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project and Myitsone Dam, he said. The dam, a joint project to build a large hydropower station, began construction in 2009 but was halted by Myanmar over environmental concerns in 2011.

Li said he hoped that Myanmar can resolve the issue of the dam, and Suu Kyi said Myanmar will set up an investigative commission to find a solution, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.

Suu Kyi said Myanmar's new administration highly values its ties with China and is committed to strengthening

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huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/19/2016 page1)