Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said in Naypyitaw on Thursday afternoon that CPC and the Chinese government attached high importance to its ties with neighboring Myanmar.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, held talks with Tin Aung Myint Oo, first secretary of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and made above remarks.

Even though the national conditions of China and Myanmar are different and the international and regional situation also witnessed major changes, Li said, China and Myanmar have adhered to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, which was jointly initiated by China, Myanmar and India in the 1950s.

To further promote the bilateral ties, Li suggested both to maintain high-level exchanges for increasing mutual trust in the political area through the direct exchanges of the two leadership.

On economic cooperation, Li proposed to advance cooperation in key sectors and big projects in such areas as energy, transport and telecommunication.

"China will continue to encourage competent enterprises to invest in Myanmar or participate in your infrastructure construction," he said.

He also called on both to enhance cultural exchanges and cooperation while enhancing the friendly feelings of the two peoples.

To expand the channels for friendly contacts, Li hoped the political organizations could increase their communication.

On global and regional affairs, the two can strengthen communication and coordination in an effort to safeguard the mutual interests of the two countries for the regional peace, stability and development, Li said.

Tin Aung Myint Oo agreed with Li's suggestions to promote bilateral ties and said a developing China is an importance force for maintaining peace in the region and the world at large.

He said the cornerstone of Myanmar's China policy is to actively develop Myanmar-China friendly cooperation in all areas and adhere to the one-China principle.

He said the roles of the governments and enterprises of both countries should be given full play in advancing concrete cooperation in various economic sectors.

He also thanked China for the assistance to Myanmar after the cyclone Nagris hit the country last year.

After the talks, relevant government departments inked cooperative agreements, including one pact to jointly build up crude oil and gas pipeline and the other to jointly develop hydropower resources in Myanmar.

Myanmar is the second-leg of Li's four-nation tour which will also take him to Republic of Korea and Japan. He has already visited Australia.

Source: Xinhua

http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2009-03/27/content_220554.htm