REGION

CHINA, MYANMAR TO ADVANCE RELATIONS

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meeting with Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw in Beijing on April 10.

CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPINGheld talks with Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw in Beijing on April 10.

China and Myanmar agreed to uphold the principles of mutual respect and winwin cooperation to promote the sustained, healthy and steady development of bilateral relations. China appreciates Myanmar's support for and participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, President Xi Jinping said during talks with Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw.

China will work with Myanmar to synergize the two nations' development strategies and push forward cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, water conservation, electricity, finance and border economic cooperation zone construction, Xi said.

"China will work with Myanmar to implement key cooperative programs such as Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone and connectivity projects," Xi said.

During U Htin Kyaw's visit, the two sides signed nine cooperative documents. One focused on a crude oil pipeline, which will stretch from Kyaukpyu port in Myanmar to Kunming in Yunnan Province, according to Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.

Another important cooperation document focused on the development and implementation of an industrial park and a deep-sea port in the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone, Liu said.

Xi told U Htin Kyaw that China is ready to work with Myanmar to ensure bilateral cooperation in areas that will improve the lives of the people of Myanmar, such as education and agriculture. He called on the two sides to enrich people-to-people exchanges and increase exchanges in culture, education, youth, health, tourism, media and religion, consolidating the foundation of bilateral friendship.