China, Myanmar vow to well implement cooperation agreements

BEIJING, June 28 -- China and Myanmar have pledged to well implement the cooperation agreements the two sides reached and expand cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure construction.

The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Myanmar President U Thein Sein, who is here for a state visit to China from June 27 to 30, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Li said China is ready to consolidate the political mutual trust with Myanmar, make closer high-level engagement, and expand bilateral cooperation.

The two countries should make sure that their major cooperation programs in oil and gas pipeline, mining and port construction will be smoothly implemented and safely operated, he added.

China will work with all relevant countries to promote the construction of an economic corridor among China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and India, and to strengthen regional interconnection under the framework of "One Belt and One Road".

The "One Belt and One Road" refers to the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "21st Century Maritime Silk Road", concepts put forward by Chinese President Xi during his visit to Central Asia and Southeast Asia respectively in 2013.

U Thein Sein said China's development has brought opportunities for Myanmar and Asia as a whole.

Myanmar is ready to join hands with China to inherit and carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, to well implement their cooperation agreements and to expand cooperation in such areas as trade, energy and infrastructure construction.

Myanmar will actively participate and promote the construction of the economic corridor, he said.

With regard to the relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Li said ASEAN is a priority of China's diplomacy.

China will support and cooperate with Myanmar, who is holding the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN this year, to hold the East Asia leaders meetings and the China-ASEAN Year of Cultural Exchanges, he said.

The premier also called on Myanmar to play a positive role in the sound and stable development of China-ASEAN ties.

U Thein Sein said Myanmar will play a constructive role in the progress of ASEAN-China relations.

U Thein Sein also attended a commemoration marking the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence at the Great Hall of the People on Saturday afternoon, after his meeting with Li.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the commemoration.