Myanmar Ambassador Thit Linn Ohn views the ongoing annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC -- China's top legislature and advisory body, as a valuable opportunity to learn messages from China's high-level leaders.

 

Mr. Ohn, who was appointed to his post two years ago, sat through the work reports delivered by Chinese leaders at the opening ceremonies of the twin sessions and heard about China's political and economic successes.

"To learn from the development of neighboring countries is very important for Myanmar," he said in an exclusive interview with China.org.cn on March 11.

"As close neighbors, Myanmar and China have maintained friendly relations. We have so much assistance from China."

He explained that since Myanmar is in a transitional period between governments, he should convey the messages coming out of Beijing to enable the new government to know more about China.

He emphasized that China has voiced its support for Myanmar no matter what the political and economic choices of its people.

"That is the mutual understanding we need," he said.

Myanmar started its own political and economic reform program only five years ago and has faced many challenges

"No matter how our internal situation has changed, I firmly believe the relationship between our two countries will not alter," the ambassador asserted.

Myanmar's pivotal role in the "Belt and Road" initiative

Situated between China, India and Bangladesh, Myanmar has a coastline of 1,300 miles, so it is strategically and geographically significant in the region.

Mr. Ohn said China's CITIC Group Corporation has won two contracts involving the construction of a deepwater port and an industrial area at the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone in western Myanmar.

He attributed its success in gaining the contracts to the friendliness between the two countries.

Commenting on their significance, he said the overland links between Myanmar and southern China can considerably reduce the sea route for shipments traveling from China to points beyond via the Malacca Strait.

The sea port has a very crucial role in the development of the 2,800-km-long BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar) economic corridor initiated in 1999.

"China has already established Gwadar Port in Pakistan," he said. "Myanmar is the lower part, and Pakistan is upper part. They are both exist for China."

Mr. Ohn said Myanmar leaders support the "Belt and Road" initiative, but Myanmar people have limited knowledge of it. He counseled China to share more knowledge and information to convince Myanmar people of the benefits.

Asked about the outlook for Sino-Myanmar relations after the new government takes office, he said he firmly believed the ties would not be too different from the past, as the new government knew very well the relationship's great importance.