By Zhang Yunfei, Specialist on Myanmar and chief reporter of Rangoon branch office, Xinhua News Agency
Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was invited to pay an official visit to China on August 17-21. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang held meetings with her.
A high-courteous reception demonstrated Sino-Myanmar ties have entered a new developing stage of friendship.
Premier Li invited Suu Kyi to China, shortly after National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung came into power last April. Yangon chose China as Suu Kyi's first visit to a country outside ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Yangon's new government attaches much importance to Beijing, which sends a positive signal to the world. No matter how often international and domestic conditions change, Sino-Myanmar friendly cooperative relations will remain unchanged.
When the democratic transition in Myanmar started five years ago, the state had endured military rule for a long time, but dramatic social and political changes have emerged.
Sino-Myanmar relations have faced challenges, such as the Myanmar Myitsone hydropower project that was jointly invested by a Chinese company and Myanmar, but suspended by the King Thein Sein government in 2011.Over the past few years, many people have expressed concerns over its relations with China, which had become even more serious after NLD won elections in 2015.
Nevertheless, the NLD is pursuing a rational and pragmatic approach with Beijing, in line with the fundamental interests of both sides. Since Burma declared its national independence on January 4, 1948, Myanmar has endorsed a neutral, non-aligned foreign policy.
In an interview with Xinhua News Agency reporter, Suu Kyi said she appreciated Myanmar's Foreign Affairs during Wu Nu's administration (1950s), when Burma maintained good friendship with China, India, and the United States. She believes she can do better.
NLD's foreign policy has embarked on diplomatic traditions that support better relations with foreign nations.
According to reports published by the Chinese and Myanmar media, both sides have agreed to continue pursuing good-neighborly policy, to promote a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for long-term development.
Beijing appreciates Yangon for introducing national reconciliation and policy initiatives to improve people's livelihoods.
Beijing endorses Myanmar's political transition, the road of comprehensive and inclusive development in line with its conditions to ensure national reconciliation and peace, promoting economic development and social harmony. Beijing pledged to offer further assistance to Myanmar.
Myanmar welcomes Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative and the BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) economic corridor cooperation initiative. Myanmar has reiterated its adherence to the one-China principle, endorsing China's stance on Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang.
The two sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation on peace and stability in border areas. Beijing backs Yangon's efforts to achieve domestic peace and national reconciliation through political dialogue. Myanmar appreciates China for its role to promote national reconciliation and the peace process.
The two sides will continue to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture, water conservancy, energy, production capacity, and finance.
Both sides signed documents on cooperation, including the aid project of Gunlong bridge, two hospitals in cities of Yangon and Mandalay.
Last June, Suu Kyi paid her first China visit as Chairwoman of NLD and met with President Xi Jinping. They opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, which boosted positive energy.
During Xi's meeting with Suu Kyi on Aug.19, he said Beijing stands ready to work with Yangon to carry forward good traditions, promoting the Sino-Myanmar comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, bring tangible benefits to both sides that make for good neighbors, good friends, good brothers and good partners.Beijing cherishes its deep "pauk phaw" ("fraternal" in the Myanmar language) friendship with Yangon, which will forever flow like China's Yangtze River and Myanmar Irrawaddy River.
( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )
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