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China-Myanmar Ties at‘New Historical Starting Point'

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi， Myanmar's foreign minister， in Naypyidaw， Myanmar's capital city on April 5.

At the invitation of Myanmar Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a two-day official visit to Myanmar on April 5-6, 2016. During the visit, he held an official talk with his counterpart and made a courtesy call on President U Htin Kyaw. He also met with other senior leaders of Myanmar, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander in Chief of Myanmar's armed forces, and U Tin Naing Thein, General Secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Party （USDP）.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Myanmar drew the attention of all parties concerned. Foreign media covered the visit with interest. Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster, commented：“China is Myanmar's largest neighbor, largest trading partner and largest source of investment, which will not be altered with the regime change in Myanmar.”

Yonhap News Agency of South Korea reported on April 5 that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's frst ofcial act as Myanmar's Foreign Minister was to meet with officials from China. Nearly all media reports underlined that Wang was the frst foreign dignitary to visit Myanmar since the country's new government took ofce.

Broad Consensus between Foreign Ministers

On April 5, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held an official talk with Myanmar Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar.

Wang Yi elaborated on China's Myanmar policy. He emphasized that the China-Myanmar “Paukphaw” （born of the same parents） friendship goes beyond diferences in social systems, and that the changes in Myanmar's domestic situation will not alter China's policy toward Myanmar. With regard to the future development of bilateral relations, Wang expressed the hope that the two sides could strengthen their high-level exchanges as soon as possible, in order to jointly map out the next step for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. He also hoped that the ruling parties inChina and Myanmar could strengthen their inter-party communication, exchange experience on managing state affairs, deepen reciprocal cooperation in various areas and properly handle any complications emerging from increased collaboration. According to Wang, China is willing to play a positive role as before in supporting Myanmar's process of national reconciliation, on the basis of respecting Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in accordance with Myanmar's needs.

Noting that Myanmar and China are close neighbors with their interests intertwined, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she had 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 valuable assistance that came at critical moments. As the new Myanmar government aspires to promote national reconciliation and achieve stability and development, substantial assistance from China in various aspects means a great deal for her country. She expressed her belief that China will continue to be a good friend of Myanmar； the new Myanmar government is ready to work with China to expand high-level exchanges and economic cooperation, so as to lif bilateral ties to new heights.

After the official talk, the two foreign ministers met the press. Wang Yi stressed that China's Myanmar policy is a stable, long-term and sustainable one for the whole country of Myanmar, which will not be affected by the change of Myanmar's domestic situation or the change of government； China appreciates the friendly policy adopted by the new government, as well as the willingness of the National League for Democracy （NLD）for continued positive role in promoting friendship between the two sides. He said that he and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had exchanged views and reached broad consensus on strengthening cooperation, for which both had agreed to enhance high-level exchanges, consolidate mutual confdence and strengthen mutually benefcial collaboration, and that China is ready to join hands with Myanmar's new government for the future of bilateral relations.

For her part, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that Myanmar's new government had been in office for only a week when the Chinese Foreign Minister visits Myanmar at her invitation. She said that she and Wang had a very good talk on strengthening cooperation and friendship between the two peoples； Myanmar adheres to the policy of friendly relations with all countries in the world； the new government is willing to strengthen friendly cooperation with China, and believes this will help with Myanmar's national development.

High-Level Meetings with Myanmar's Leaders

On April 6, Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a courtesy call on Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw. Wang Yi first conveyed to him the greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Wang said that upon the smooth transfer of the government, the Chinese leadership had entrusted him with this visit immediately after Myanmar's new government took ofce, highlighting the importance China attaches to Myanmar's new government. He said China hopes and believes that the ruling NLD will sincerely cooperate and join hands with all other parties in Myanmar to open up a new future for the country.

President U Htin Kyaw asked Wang Yi to convey his good wishes to President Xi. He said that Myanmar highly appreciates the congratulatory message sent by President Xi upon his election, as well as the Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to Myanmar immediately afer his new government was sworn in, which has put on display China's support for Myanmar's new government. He said that Myanmar-China friendship has stood the test of time； Myanmar will not forget China's support and assistance in all aspects；the new government is willing to work along with China to promote good bilateral relations, deepen cooperation in all fields, and strengthen communication and collaboration in regional and international afairs.

While meeting with Senior General U Min Aung Hlaing, Commander in Chief of Myanmar's armed forces, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Myanmar's armed forces are an important force in national development and stability； the military exchanges constitute an important part of the “Paukphaw” friendship between China and Myanmar, and maintaining and enhancing friendly traditions between the two countries and the armed forces are in conformity with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides. Wang Yi also said that China supports Myanmar in its efforts to achieve peace through negotiations in northern Myanmar as early as possible； China is ready to safeguard the peace and stability jointly with Myanmar along their borders.

U Min Aung Hlaing said that although Myanmar's political system has changed, the Myanmar military is committed to pursuing a friendly policy toward China. He hoped that the two countries would continue to trust, support and help each other as good neighbors and friends.

While meeting with U Tin Naing Tein, General Secretary of the USDP, Foreign Minister Wang Yi extended the greetings of the Chinese leadership to U Thein Sein, the USDP's Chairman. Wang Yi said that during the governance of the USDP, the party had enthusiastically promoted bilateral cooperation, and played an important role in developing the China-Myanmar Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership； the two sides have consistently supported each other on their core interests and major concerns； while Myanmar's political climate has changed, the various political parties in the country uphold the same stand to promote friendship with China. He hoped that the USDP will continue to contribute to China-Myanmar friendship, and said that China is willing to strengthen inter-party exchanges with the USDP.

U Tin Naing Tein said that the USDP has always maintained friendly exchanges with the Communist Party of China （CPC）. He believed that Wang Yi's visit will further promote the exchanges between the two countries and the two parties, and contribute to the development of friendly ties between Myanmar and China. He said that the USDP is willing, as always, to strengthen the inter-party exchanges and cooperation with the CPC, promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation, as well as friendship between the two peoples.