China's 'Belt and Road' initiatives offers Myanmar new opportunity

NAY PYI TAW - The "Belt and Road" initiatives, proposed by China, is a new opportunity for Myanmar in its economic development efforts, Myanmar's presidential spokesman U Ye Htut has told Xinhua in an exclusive interview in Nay Pyi Taw.

U Ye Htut, who is also Minister of Information, said Thursday that President Thein Sein has expressed welcome of China's advocating of the "Belt and Road" initiatives during his visit to China, saying Myanmar also welcomes China's proposal to establish the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Myanmar views that the two projects provide a good opportunity for the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the official.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and China, U Ye Htut said the two countries' relations have been upgraded from Paukphaw (fraternal) relations in the past to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Stressing that the two countries' relations are at a good status, he believed that it can be continuously strengthened.

He pointed out that enhancing Myanmar-China economic and trade cooperation is beneficial to both countries.

He invited Chinese enterprises to Myanmar with more investment.

As a big market, he said, China's development produces an opportunity for Myanmar in terms of development of Myanmar enterprises and the people.

He believed that the two countries' economic and trade cooperative ties would continue to develop and upgrade.

He added that Myanmar is in a transition period. It not only needs to handle well the inter-government ties but also needs to enhance the ties with the people.

He called on Chinese enterprises to invest in Myanmar to attach more importance to civil relations and public relations.