Wang Yi Holds Talks with Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin

On July 3, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral talks with Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin on the sidelines of the seventh Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bagan, Myanmar.

U Wunna Maung Lwin said, Myanmar highly cherishes the everlasting Myanmar-China "pauk-phaw" friendship featuring mutual respect and treating each other as equals, and sincerely thanks China for its selfless help to Myanmar's national development. Myanmar will continue to firmly support China's legitimate positions on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xizang, Xinjiang, human rights and others. Myanmar is ready to work closely with China to further advance the building of a Myanmar-China community with a shared future.

Wang Yi said, the China-Myanmar "pauk-phaw" friendship, nurtured by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries, enjoys extensive popular support and a solid social foundation. It has stood the test of evolving international landscape, and always remained rock-solid and unbreakable without being affected by domestic changes in each other's country. China cherishes the traditional friendship between the two countries, and will stick to the friendly policy toward Myanmar, which is for all the people of Myanmar. China is ready to work with Myanmar to deliver on the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Myanmar, cement the four pillars of mutual political trust, mutually beneficial cooperation, people-to-people bonds and mutual learning in culture and people-to-people exchanges, and continuously elevate the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future to new heights. China appreciates Myanmar's firm adherence to a friendly policy toward China, supports the Myanmar people in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and supports Myanmar in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests and national dignity on international occasions.

The two sides spoke highly of the progress made in practical cooperation between the two countries, and agreed to speed up the construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, well implement the cross-border power grid agreement, ensure the smooth operation of China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines, and discuss the "China-Myanmar Economic Corridor Plus" cooperation at an appropriate time to elevate bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Wang Yi said, China is ready to import more high-quality agricultural products from Myanmar, expand bilateral financial cooperation, well implement demonstration projects to aid Myanmar in poverty reduction, and increase direct flights to facilitate the resumption of classes in China for Myanmar's students on the premise of ensuring COVID-related safety.

U Wunna Maung Lwin introduced the domestic situation in Myanmar, saying that Myanmar will be committed to implementing the "five-point roadmap" and the ASEAN's "five-point consensus", and continue to push forward the process of democratic transition. Wang Yi said, as Myanmar's largest neighboring country, China sincerely hopes that Myanmar will enjoy political and social stability, that its people will live a happy and fulfilling life, and that the country will realize development and rejuvenation. China expects all parties in Myanmar to prioritize the big picture and the interests of the people, adhere to rational consultation, and realize political reconciliation and lasting peace and stability at an early date within the framework of the constitution and laws.

The two sides exchanged views on the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC). Wang Yi said, the LMC was first proposed in Myanmar, and Myanmar is also an active participant and important beneficiary of the LMC. China is ready to strengthen coordination and collaboration with Myanmar to upgrade the LMC and build a closer LMC community with a shared future. Wang Yi stressed, the LMC should better align with the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposed by President Xi Jinping, to establish zones that demonstrate best practices for implementing the two initiatives. U Wunna Maung Lwin said, the GDI and the GSI are of great significance to safeguarding world peace, upholding multilateralism and promoting common development. Myanmar speaks highly of the initiatives and stands ready to take an active part in them.

The two sides exchanged views on China-ASEAN cooperation. Wang Yi said, China appreciates Myanmar's important and active role as the country coordinator for China-ASEAN relations, and looks forward to working with ASEAN to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, work out an action plan on implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership at a faster pace, and foster new cooperation highlights such as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, digital connectivity, clean energy, stable industrial and supply chains. China firmly supports ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture and stands ready to make joint efforts with ASEAN to steer East Asia cooperation on the right course.

Following the talks, the two sides jointly attended the exchange ceremony of cooperation documents on economic technology, pandemic response, agriculture, people's wellbeing, training and others.