Chinese FM meets with Myanmar's Suu Kyi

NAYPYIDAW -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Tuesday met with his Myanmar counterpart Aung San Suu Kyi here to discuss the development of bilateral relations shortly after the installation of Myanmar's new government.

During their meeting, Wang said that his official visit to Myanmar at the invitation of Suu Kyi immediately after the Southeast Asian country's new government took office is a clear demonstration of the "paukphaw friendship" -- "brotherly friendship" in Burmese -- between the two countries.

"Myanmar is standing at a new starting point in history. China hopes and believes that the new Myanmar government will unite all parties across its country and lead its people to create a new era of development and progress," Wang told Suu Kyi.

The relationship between China and Myanmar is also "standing at a new starting point," the Chinese foreign minister said, adding that China stands ready to join hands with the new Myanmar government to carry forward the traditional China-Myanmar friendship, deepen political mutual trust and expand the mutually beneficial cooperation so as to "open up a new chapter" for bilateral relations.

"The China-Myanmar 'paukphaw friendship' goes beyond differences in social institutions. And the changes in Myanmar's inner affairs will not alter China's Myanmar policy," Wang said.

Wang said he hoped that the two sides could strengthen their high-level engagements as soon as possible in order to jointly map out the next step for the two countries' comprehensive cooperation.

He also hoped that the two countries' ruling parties could strengthen their inter-party communication, exchange experience on managing state affairs, deepen reciprocal cooperation in various areas and properly handle the problems emerging from collaboration.

"On the basis of respecting Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, China stands ready to play a conducive role in Myanmar's national reconciliation in accordance with Myanmar's needs and willingness," the Chinese diplomat said.

Noting that Myanmar and China are neighbors with their interests closely connected, Suu Kyi said that she personally felt the profound friendship between the two peoples when she visited China in 2015, adding that "Myanmar won't forget China's support and help," especially the help that came at critical moments.

"As the new Myanmar government aspires to promote national reconciliation and achieve stability and development, the substantial assistance from China in various aspects means a great deal for our country," Suu Kyi said.

The new Myanmar government is ready to work with China to strengthen accomplishments in China-Myanmar relations and expand high-level exchanges and economic cooperation so as to lift bilateral ties to a new height.

"I believe that China will continue to be Myanmar's good friend," she said.