State Counsellor meets Chinese FM

November 19, 2017

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, received Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Wang Yi of the People’s Republic of China at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw at 11 am yesterday.

Views on Sino-Myanmar relations and cooperation, Belt and Road initiative, Myanmar’s peace process and the Rakhine issue were exchanged at the meeting.

After the meeting, documents in connection with the cooperation agreements between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the People’s Republic of China were signed and exchanged in the presence of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Minister Mr. Wang Yi. The agreement on renovation of the National Theatre (Yangon) was signed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture U Tun Ohn and Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Hong Liang; the agreement on poverty alleviation and cooperation by Director-General U Khant Zaw of Rural Development Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and the Chinese Ambassador; the agreement on renovation of National Indoor Stadium 1 by Director-General U Myo Hlaing of the Sports and Physical Education Department of the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Chinese Ambassador.

Later, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko and Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi formally unveiled the signboard of the Chinese Cultural Bureau in Yangon.

Afterwards, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Wang Yi met the press.

At the press meeting Mr. Wang Yi said that since his first meeting with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi he has had the desire to promote Sino-Myanmar cooperation. He met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during his Myanmar visit to attend the 13th ASEM meeting. The discussions were centered on further promotion of bilateral cooperation. China supports the current government’s endeavours to realize the public aspiration. China encourages Myanmar to develop its economy and improve the people’s social lives. China renders cooperation and support for Myanmar’s peace and national reconciliation process. The country also gave assistance for the success of the 13 ASEM foreign affairs ministers meeting. As regards mutual cooperation, the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister recounted his meeting with the Myanmar counterpart during which serious discussions were made on economic cooperation and a corridor for facilitating bilateral cooperation. The corridor will pass through Mandalay Region before reaching Yangon in the east and Kyaukphyu in the west. It is a part of the One Belt and One Road. The corridor is the vital part for further enhancing bilateral cooperation. Mr. Wang Yi said he accepted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s view on Rakhine issue. Myanmar and Bangladesh should solve the issue through dialogue.

The UN General Assembly needs to render assistance for the realization of the dialogue. Myanmar has already agreed on the holding of bilateral talks. The issue should be divided into three sectors in solving it. The first one is to restore peace and stability and a ceasefire, the second is to find a better way for the dialogue and the third is the launching of a poverty alleviation campaign after a quick agreement. The basic factor of the lack of peace and stability is poverty. More international aid is needed for poverty alleviation. As Sino-Myanmar cooperation has reached a new chapter assistance will be provided for the social and economic progress of Myanmar.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said Myanmar and China are friends enjoying mutual respect and understanding on the same level despite the huge difference in strength and power. The equal fraternal spirit is a requisite as well as an appropriate measure for bilateral cooperation that ensures proper progress. Myanmar’s main requirement is peace and stability as well as progress. The cooperation and participation of China, a friendly neighbor of Myanmar is of vital importance in the endeavours for fulfilling the requirement. Cooperation through the detailed coordination based on various factors will provide rapid thrust for Myanmar’s peace, stability and progress.

She said Myanmar values China’s understanding of the Rakhine issue which is much complicated and delicate. The three sectors or points proposed by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister agree with the view of Myanmar. Myanmar’s insistence on the rule of law is for stability and ceasing conflicts. Myanmar is desirous of solving the issue through bilateral talks with Bangladesh. Development and poverty alleviation is the hope and goal of the government not only for Rakhine State but also for the entire country. China’s assistance as a friend in need amidst the many problems is so much encouraging for Myanmar. May there be eternal friendship between the eternal neighbors China and Myanmar, she prayed.

In answering the question raised by MITV on behalf of the local media, Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Wang Yi said China’s hope for Myanmar is its peace and stability which is divided into three sectors. China has listened to the voices of Myanmar and Bangladesh. China hopes further talks between the two countries.

As regards the question raised by Xinhua on behalf of foreign media, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said the principle progress in the relations between the two countries is the bilateral understanding. It is the most important progress as such degree of bilateral understanding can solve any kind of problem. Myanmar favours not only the Belt and Road initiative, but also any beneficial matter or project that serves mutual interest. Myanmar’s main goal is the further strengthening of people-to-people friendship. She expressed hope to deal with the development projects in connection with Belt and Road initiative in Beijing soon.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi hosted a luncheon for Minister Mr. Wang Yi at Sofitel Hotel. Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko, and U Kyaw Tin and officials were also present. The Chinese Minister was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador and officials.

Kyaw The Ein, Kyaw Htaik Soe, Myo Myint

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar