Image source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

On August 14, 2024, local time, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, in Nay Pyi Taw.

Wang Yi said that over the past 70-plus years, no matter how the international landscape has changed, China and Myanmar have always upheld the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence jointly initiated by the two sides, and have set a fine example of equality and mutual assistance between countries large and small. China is ready to work with Myanmar to carry forward the paukphaw friendship, continue to support and help each other, and jointly advance the building of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future.

Wang Yi noted that the world today is intertwined with changes and turbulence, and China's development represents a growing force for world peace and an enhanced factor for stability. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held not long ago, making it clear that China will further comprehensively deepen reform, build a high-standard socialist market economy, and promote high-quality development and high-standard opening up. This will provide new opportunities and new impetus for China-Myanmar cooperation. We are ready to deepen Belt and Road cooperation with Myanmar, implement the three major global initiatives, and steadily advance the building of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future. The two sides should maintain high-level exchanges and enhance political mutual trust; actively and steadily advance the construction of the economic corridor and ensure the safe and smooth operation of the oil and gas pipelines; strengthen security cooperation and jointly combat cross-border criminal activities; and accelerate cooperation in agriculture and other fields to help Myanmar improve people's livelihood. Taking the opportunity of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, the two sides should carry out a series of celebratory activities, intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and consolidate the public foundation of friendship.

U Than Swe said that Myanmar-China relations have a long history and profound paukphaw friendship, and next year the two countries will jointly celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Myanmar attaches great importance to its relations with China, adheres to the one-China principle, and supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the three major global initiatives and the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. Myanmar is willing to work with China to maintain close exchanges at all levels, accelerate the construction of major projects under the framework of the economic corridor, deepen cooperation in agriculture, energy, tourism and other fields, and strive for more outcomes in building the Myanmar-China community with a shared future to benefit the people of Myanmar. Myanmar will make every effort to safeguard the safety of Chinese personnel working on projects in Myanmar, earnestly maintain security and stability along the Myanmar-China border, and jointly combat transnational crime with China.

The two sides exchanged views on Lancang-Mekong cooperation and agreed to implement the important consensus of the Fourth Leaders' Meeting, stay committed to the goal of building a community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries, strive for more fruitful outcomes in Lancang-Mekong cooperation, and jointly promote stability, development and regional integration.

Image source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website