China and Myanmar on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the establishment of border defense talks mechanism and management of border affairs.

The MOU was signed by General Ge Zhenfeng, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and General Thura Shwe Mann, chief of general staff of Myanmar.

The MOU was inked shortly before a border defense delegation, led by Ge, is due to end its five-day visit in Myanmar later Sunday.

The MOU will help strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the two armed forces in the sector of border defense and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the border areas, said the delegation.

It also will conform to the fundamental interests of the two peoples and it holds  important significance in furthering the two countries' good-neighborly ties.

The MOU will enhance combating of transnational crimes such as smuggling and drug trafficking in the border areas, according to the delegation.

General Ge and his delegation arrived Yangon Wednesday. Previously, China has set up similar border defense talks mechanisms with neighboring Russia and Mongolia. 

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2004)