China, Myanmar to forge closer relationship
By Chen Hai
At the invitation of Myanmar’s
President U Win Myint, Chinese President Xi Jinping
will pay a state visit to Myanmar from Jan. 17 to 18. It is Xi's first overseas
trip this year, and the
first visit to Myanmar by a Chinese president in 19
years.
The journey will start a new phase in
China-Myanmar relations as this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two
countries.
China and Myanmar, two neighbors connected by mountains and rivers,
enjoy a time-honored friendship. People
of the two countries have regarded each other as "Paukphaw",
meaning brothers, and people of Myanmar describe the friendly
relations between the two countries as the "gold
and silver road".
Despite different social systems, Myanmar took the lead in recognizing
the People's Republic of China. The then
Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited Myanmar nine
times. The relationship between the two countries has evolved from their joint
implementation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence they initially
advocated to the addressing of boundary issues left over by history through friendly
negotiations, leaving behind a trail of widely told stories.
In recent years, the China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic
cooperative partnership has enjoyed sustained development with the
strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries. Both countries have
witnessed frequent high-level mutual visits, enhanced political mutual trust,
close economic ties, more personnel exchanges, in-depth cultural exchanges, solid
progress in practical cooperation in various areas, and benefits deeply rooted
in the hearts of the two peoples.
China and Myanmar are now working together to pave a "gold and
silver road" in the new era.
The "gold and silver road" in the new era is a road of mutual trust and cooperation. President
Xi Jinping met with Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi several times in
bilateral and multilateral settings, and outlined the blueprint for
the development of China-Myanmar ties.
The two countries enjoy close exchanges in various fields such as
legislation, administration, justice, political parties, military, and people-to-people
engagement, laying a solid foundation for bilateral relations.
China supports Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereign independence and
territorial integrity, respects its independent choice of development path, and
backs its national reconciliation and peace process. Myanmar gives firm support
on issues related to China's core interests such as Taiwan, Tibet and
Xinjiang.
The two sides maintain close communication and coordination in
international and regional affairs, further cooperation in mechanisms including
China-ASEAN cooperation and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and
make positive contributions to promoting the development of each
other and maintaining regional peace and stability.
The "gold and silver road" in the new era is a road of
prosperity and development. China is Myanmar's largest trading partner and the most
important investment partner. Focusing on the joint building of the Belt and
Road Initiative and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), the two countries
have seen deepening practical cooperation in recent years. They set up a joint
committee for the CMEC, and Myanmar State Counselor Aung
San Suu Kyi serves as Myanmar's chairperson
of the Belt and Road guiding committee.
With the joint efforts of both sides, China-Myanmar oil and gas
pipelines and other projects have greatly benefited people's livelihood. At the
same time, progress has been made in pillar projects such as the Kyaukpyu special
economic zone and the China-Myanmar border economic cooperation zone.
The "gold and silver road" in the new era is also a road of
closer people-to-people ties. China and Myanmar have maintained increasingly
active people-to-people exchanges with the further development of bilateral
relations.
Now, over 150 flights shuttle between the two countries every week, and
more and more Chinese tourists have visited the Southeast Asian country attracted
by its distinct natural scenery, history and cultural heritage.
Chinese films or TV series have captivated more and more viewers in
Myanmar, including The Dream of Red Mansions, Journey to the West and
Struggle, rousing the wave of "China fever" again in the
country in recent years.
The two nations have also conducted extensive exchanges and cooperation
in the fields of culture, art and archeology. Supporting Bagan's successful bid
for the UNESCO World Heritage List, China is now restoring the Thatbyinnyu
Temple, a famous temple located in Bagan.
China has also conducted extensive cooperation on livelihood projects
with Myanmar. A large number of projects, such as China-Myanmar friendship
schools and friendship hospitals and villages demonstrating poverty
reduction progress, have brought tangible benefits to the local people. China's
experience has also helped people in Myanmar get
rid of poverty and create a better life.
All circles in Myanmar attach great importance to and warmly welcome
Xi's visit, which will become a new milestone in the history of China-Myanmar
relations.
The two countries will take Xi’s visit as an opportunity to further
consolidate their traditional friendship, advance comprehensive strategic
cooperation, build a China-Myanmar
community with a shared future, and jointly create a
better future for bilateral relations. It is believed that with the joint
efforts of both sides, the "gold and silver road" for bilateral friendly
cooperation in the new era will surely become broader as it goes.
(The author is Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar.)
China, Myanmar to forge closer relationship
Reviewed by PEOPLES MAIL
on
08:57
Rating:
No comments: