China, Myanmar pledge to boost cooperation

Sanya (China), April 6 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Myanmar counterpart U Thein Sein have held talks in China's southern city of Sanya and pledged to boost the "all-round" cooperation between the two countries.

"The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad consensus on relations between the two countries as well as regional and international issues of common interest," said a joint press communique after their talks Friday.

China and Myanmar should enhance strategic mutual trust, and conduct win-win cooperation for common development, which will lay a solid foundation for advancing the fundamental interests of the two peoples and for achieving lasting stability and prosperity of the region, reported Xinhua citing the communique.

During the talks, U Thein Sein invited Xi to visit Myanmar and the Chinese president expressed his willingness to visit Myanmar "at a mutually convenient time".

"The two sides will maintain the tradition of high-level visits," said the communique, adding that the frequent contacts between the leaders of the two countries will help to enhance strategic communication and take China-Myanmar relations forward in the right direction.

The two countries will enhance their friendly exchanges and cooperation in all areas, including parliaments, governments, political parties, militaries and law-enforcement departments and on governance matters, said the document.

"This will further enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Myanmar," it said. The two countries established the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2011.

In the communique, China reiterated its respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and its support for the government of Myanmar in its efforts to maintain national unity and ethnic harmony.

"The two sides will continue to strengthen border management cooperation, and safeguard peace and stability in border areas," said the document.

At the invitation of Xi, U Thein Sein is paying a state visit to China from Friday to Sunday. The Myanmar president will also attend the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia Sunday.