STATE Administration Council Chair­man Prime Minister Senior Gener­al Min Aung Hlaing, who is now in China to attend the summits, met Chinese Premier Mr Li Qiang at Haigeng Garden Hotel in Kunming yesterday.

Premier Mr Li Qiang warmly received the Senior General, and both parties posed for commemorative photos to mark the occasion.

During the meeting, Mr Li Qiang ex­pressed his warm welcome to the Senior General and party, highlighting the con­nection between the mountains and rivers of the two countries, shar­ing longstanding Pauk-Phaw friendship, and collaborating to overcome the changes and challenges in political affairs. He also expressed his willingness to enhance the bilateral relations and cooperation.

The Senior General ex­pressed appreciation for the hospitality of the Chinese gov­ernment and officials, and for successfully holding the 75th an­niversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 3rd plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Com­munist Party of China.

He added that the meeting could discuss the existing bilat­eral relations and Pauk-Phaw friendship-related matters, and it could create close collabora­tion in regions and on the inter­national stage in addition to the two countries. One China policy was adopted successfully over 70 years after the founding of China, and Myanmar has always supported the One China policy as it is a crucial cornerstone of China.

He also expressed gratitude to China for assisting after Ty­phoon Yagi hit Myanmar, saying China is the second largest inves­tor among the 52 foreign coun­tries investing in Myanmar, and a special focus is placed on the safety of Chinese investments, projects, and people.

He continued that Myanmar will work with China for assis­tance in economic and technolo­gy, as well as the enhancement of collaboration and energy securi­ty, aiming to develop the country. The Muse-Mandalay-Kyaukpyu railway road project will start in possible areas.

He then mentioned the innovative opinions and active collaboration while meeting with Chinese entrepreneurs who make investments in Myanmar and those who want to invest in Myanmar while he is on his visit to Kunming. He also pledged to provide the needed assistance.

He also talked about My­anmar’s ongoing strategies for the economic corridor under the China-Myanmar Economic Cor­ridor project. He discussed the plans for the agricultural, sports, health, and rural development sectors.

Concerning peace, he con­tinued that Tatmadaw declared a unilateral ceasefire in 2018 and worked for peace. Tatmad­aw conducted a counterattack when the armed groups start­ed fighting during the period of ceasefire. MNDAA, TNLA, and AA rejected the government’s peace talks in April 2022. The MNDAA attacked the military outposts in the border area of Shan State (North) and Chin­shwehaw on 27 October 2023 to re-establish their Special Region 1. Although it reached an agree­ment after the negotiation with the Chinese government, they broke the agreement and initiat­ed attacks in towns and villages. The door of peace is always open if they genuinely want peace. The armed insurgents should do what needs to be done instead of giv­ing priority to their needs and wishes. Moreover, the MNDAA, TNLA, and AA should have clear and specific actions for peace so that dialogue can materialize. Stability and development in bor­der areas are crucial for regional and State development, and only stability can promote cooperation in economy and trade. Therefore, illegal trading, the central pillar of armed insurgents in borders, should be wholely eradicated. Border trade plays a vital role, whereas yuan-kyat direct pay­ment is in operation.

Then, the Chinese Premier pledged to stand with Myanmar for internal peace and stability as an excellent neighbouring country.

Moreover, he appreciated the Myanmar government for inviting peace dialogues to solve armed conflicts without terror acts but with political means.

He continued that China agreed with a five-point roadm­ap of the State Administration Council and will continue to sup­port holding the election success­fully. The stability in northern Myanmar is crucial, and China reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and strongly opposes the actions that harm the interests of My­anmar.

Moreover, he mentioned that the border posts of the two countries should be under the control of governments, and proper measures will be taken to enhance China-Myanmar re­lations and trust politically.

He added that the Chi­na-Myanmar Economic Corridor project is a top project, so the work plans should be acceler­ated. Starting from the 75th an­niversary of the establishment of China-Myanmar diplomatic ties, cooperation in various sec­tors will be made to consolidate bilateral friendship and deepen the collaboration between the two peoples. He then pledged that China would firmly stand with Myanmar on the interna­tional stage.

After the meeting, the two leaders warmly greeted the at­tendees.

Then, the exchange of MoU and MoA between China and My­anmar continued. The Myanmar Consulate-General Office in Kun­ming and the Chinese Consu­late-General Office in Mandalay signed MoUs on the exchange of a land lease agreement, upgrad­ing of training, chemical needs and a plant for pest and disease control for agricultural products, accurate measurement technol­ogy collaboration, and another MoA between Standardization Administration of China (SAC) and the Department of Research and Innovation (DRI) of Myan­mar, including sports sector promotion. During that session, the relevant officials of the two countries inked seven MoUs and MoAs and exchanged them in the presence of the Senior General and the Chinese Premier.

The Senior General attend­ed the dinner party for the Eighth Greater Mekong Subregion Eco­nomic Cooperation Programme (GMS) Summit at Kunming In­tercontinental Hotel on the same evening.

The Senior General had din­ner with other officials, enjoying traditional Chinese dances and songs. — MNA/KTZH