China will continue to encourage and support its enterprises to cooperate with Myanmar and will try its best to offer assistance to Myanmar's economic development, said Premier Wen Jiabao in Kunming Monday.  

During a meeting with his Myanmar counterpart Than Shwe in this capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Wen said China has always been pushing for the development of bilateral economic and trade relations with Myanmar on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and the win-win principle.

China and Myanmar have witnessed the growth of mutual trust and support since the two countries forged their diplomatic ties 55 years ago, said Wen at the meeting, held on the sidelines of the second summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program.

Wen said China supports Myanmar's efforts in maintaining national stability, promoting reconciliation among ethnic groups, and expanding foreign relations.

China's principle of promoting good-neighborly cooperation with Myanmar will never change, no matter how the international situation fluctuates, the Chinese premier said.

Than Shwe said that bilateral relations and the traditional friendship between Myanmar and China have witnessed continuous development under the guidance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

The Myanmar leader stressed that Myanmar considers China as a sincere friend and hopes to strengthen bilateral cooperation in every field, including the expansion of trade and the fight against drugs.

After their meeting, the two leaders also attended the signing ceremony of a bilateral economic and technical cooperation agreement between the two governments.

Than Shwe arrived here Sunday for the second GMS summit along with heads of government from other GMS countries, including Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2005)