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BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will pay an official visit to China from Aug. 17-21 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced Monday.

Aung San Suu Kyi is the first Myanmar leader to visit China since the Southeast Asian nation's new government was formed in late March.

"[The visit] holds great significance to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between both countries in the new phase," Lu said.

Chinese leaders will meet with her and exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. Apart from Beijing, Aung San Suu Kyi will visit other Chinese cities, according to Lu.

China believes this visit will increase the strategic communication and practical cooperation between China and Myanmar as well as friendly relations among their peoples, Lu said.

"It will advance China-Myanmar relationship, and bring benefit to the people of both nations," the spokesperson said.

China will receive Aung San Suu Kyi with due etiquette by considering her rank as Myanmar's second figure after the president and China's diplomatic protocol, according to Lu.

Aung San Suu Kyi visited China in June 2015 as chair of the National League for Democracy (NLD).