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)
