By Wang Fengjuan

U SEIN WIN AUNG: PEOPLETO-PEOPLE EXCHANGE VITAL

By Wang Fengjuan

Former Myanmar Ambassador to China argues that people are what form the basis for friendly cross-border relations

Linked by rivers and mountains, China and Myanmar have enjoyed a long-established brotherhood. Cultural exchanges between the two sides are an important part of the joint construction of the Belt and Road. In a recent interview with China Report ASEAN, U Sein Win Aung, President of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association (MCFA), shared his views on China-Myanmar people-to-people exchanges and his expectations for the Belt and Road Initiative.

U Sein Win Aung, President of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association (MCFA).

>> China Report ASEAN: Since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by China in 2013, it has received positive responses from countries along the route. How would you describe the Belt and Road and Myanmar’s role in the implementation of the plan?

U Sein Win Aung:The Belt and Road Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping more than three years ago has been positively received by many countries around the world. Myanmar has been an active player since the Initiative was first proposed, and it was among the first to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. I think the Initiative is not only a grand plan to foster regional cooperation in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, but also a great way to strengthen global connectivity. The Belt and Road Initiative is, so to speak, the loudest call for cooperation in the 21st century. As an ASEAN member state, Myanmar enjoys unique geographical advantages. It also plays a pivotal role in the construction of the the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, a part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

>> China Report ASEAN: Tobuild the Belt and Road, China has strengthened cooperation with countries along the route in various fields. What are the cooperation projects that China and Myanmar have launched in recent years?

U Sein Win Aung:Myanmar has established extensive partnership with China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. As a good example of energy cooperation between the two sides, the China-Myanmar crude oil pipeline was put into operation in April 2017. The project will play an active role in promoting Myanmar’s petrochemical industry, strengthening China-Myanmar economic relations and fostering regional economic development in Southeast Asia. It will also facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in other fields.

The pipeline starts from the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ), one of three SEZs planned by the Myanmar government. Located in western Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Kyaukphyu borders the Bay of Bengal and sits on the main route connecting Myanmar with India, Europe and Africa. To accelerate the project, the Kyaukphyu SEZ Management Committee selected 22 local companies from 30 total candidates to form a consortium. The consortium will take on the construction work in collaboration with China’s CITIC Group Corporation, which won the bid for the project.

>> China Report ASEAN: What are your expectations for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation?

U Sein Win Aung:I am looking forward to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing in May 2017. Ibelieve that leaders of countries participating in the forum will make a series of decisions that are conducive to international cooperation and development, and the implementation of these decisions will create more opportunities for countries along the Belt and Road in their efforts to realize economic and social development. Peace and development are the two main themes of the contemporary world. I expect that peaceful settlement of regional disputes through consultation, in addition to all-round development of society, will promote stability around the world.

>> China Report ASEAN: Promoting understanding among peoples is an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

What kind of role do people-topeople exchanges play in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative?

U Sein Win Aung:Considering the overall situation of global political and economic development, developing understanding among peoples is indeed hugely important. Promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and Myanmar plays a unique role in pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative, and it serves as an essential cultural base of cooperation. Thanks to the publicity efforts made by governments, media and civil society organizations, people from countries along the Belt and Road now have had a better understanding of the main ideas and specific cooperation areas of the grand plan. More players have been attracted to participate in the Belt and Road construction while cultivating a cultural environment featuring mutual appreciation, mutual understanding and mutual respect among countries along the route. The peoples of Myanmar and China have enjoyed a long-standing friendship. Governments and political parties are important, but it is the people who form the fundamental basis of friendly relations. Therefore, people-topeople connectivity should be a key area of friendly cooperation between nations.

>> China Report ASEAN: China has launched a number of projects in Myanmar to promote people-to-people exchanges, such as donations to the No. 14 Middle School in Nay Pyi Taw, a marketplace renewal project and an assistance program for children with congenital heart disease. What do you think of these projects?

U Sein Win Aung:The MCFA is committed to friendly exchanges between China and Myanmar. According to agreements made between the two sides, China will assist Myanmar in areas such as education, health, defense against natural disasters and regional development. The MCFA has embarked on a series of school and hospital construction and renewal projects in 21 cities in four different regions in Myanmar. We also play an active role in facilitating infrastructure projects in roads, dams as well as water and power supply. I believe that with joint efforts made by the MCFA and its counterpart, the China-Myanmar Friendship Association, these projects will deepen the people-to-people understanding between the two countries.

>> China Report ASEAN: As a former Myanmar Ambassador to China, how would you describe the opportunities and challenges existing in China-Myanmar cooperation?

U Sein Win Aung:I arrived in Beijing as Myanmar Ambassador to China in late October 2001, and presented my credentials to then Chinese President Jiang Zemin in November. Myanmar and China are linked by rivers and mountains and have enjoyed a deep traditional friendship. This brotherhood needs to be continuously strengthened. It is necessary to carry on the traditional friendship and to deepen the bilateral relations through cooperation in various fields as well. In addition to diplomatic, economic and cultural exchanges, communication among civil society organizations and nongovernmental organizations of the two sides should also be enhanced.

In order to continue the precious friendship that exists between the two countries, the MCFA will endeavor to advance intergovernmental as well as people-to-people exchanges and constantly promote Myanmar-China relations.