Premier Wen Jiabao met with Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein in Singapore on Monday to discuss relations between their two countries and the situation in Myanmar.

"China is very much concerned about the situation in Myanmar, because Myanmar is our close neighbor," Wen said at the meeting.

China sincerely hopes Myanmar will achieve national reconciliation and realize democracy, stability and development, the Chinese premier said, adding he was glad to hear that the situation in Myanmar is returning to normal.

Wen said China will continue to support the mediation efforts by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, and play an active role in the appropriate resolution of the Myanmar issue.

Wen stressed it is the unshakable policy of the Chinese government to consolidate and develop the good-neighborly friendship between China and Myanmar on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

China is willing to strengthen economic cooperation with Myanmar for the benefits of the two peoples, he added.

Thein Sein, on his part, said Myanmar appreciates the responsible and constructive role that China is playing in resolving the Myanmar issue.

The Myanmar side will keep in touch with the UN secretary general and cooperate with his special envoy on the mediation efforts, he added.

Thein Sein said his government is dedicated to safeguarding national unity, reunification and territorial integrity.

Myanmar will continue to push forward the seven-point road map plan for national reconciliation, he added.

Thein Sein said the Myanmar government and people cherish the traditional friendship with China and is ready to enhance bilateral cooperation.

It was the first time for Wen to meet his Myanmar counterpart since Thein Sein took office earlier this year. The meeting was held on the sidelines of a series of meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Singapore.

During his stay here, Wen is scheduled to attend the 11th ASEAN plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit, the 11th China-ASEAN Summit, the third East Asia Summit, and the eighth meeting of leaders of China, Japan and South Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2007)