President's Myanmar visit to boost ties

President Xi Jinping will pay a two-day state visit to Myanmar from Jan 17 which will further strengthen the substantial cooperation between the two friendly neighbors.

It will be the first time in 19 years that a Chinese president has visited the Southeast Asian country.

In Myanmar, Xi will attend a series of state activities held by Myanmar President U Win Myint, including a welcoming ceremony, bilateral meetings and a banquet.

Xi will have talks with Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar's Defense Services.

As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-Myanmar diplomatic relations, Xi will attend activities commemorating the 70th anniversary, as well as the launch ceremony of the China-Myanmar Year of Tourism along with Myanmar leaders.

Vice-Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui said on Friday that the two sides will seek to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and push forward substantial construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor during Xi's visit.

"The CMEC and bilateral cooperation on major projects have boosted employment and economic development in Myanmar's related areas and greatly improved local people's livelihoods," Luo told reporters at a news briefing in Beijing about the visit.

China has been Myanmar's largest trading partner and its major source of foreign investment. Last year, bilateral trade volume between the two countries exceeded $15 billion.

According to Luo, China and Myanmar share a high level of mutual trust in politics, in-depth economic cooperation and close coordination on international and regional issues.

During the upcoming visit, the two sides will further enrich bilateral ties and build the China-Myanmar community with a shared future to usher their relationship into a new era, he said, adding that the two countries will issue a joint statement covering areas such as politics, the economy and people-to-people exchanges.

Both as the initiators and practitioners of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Luo said, China and Myanmar always adhere to basic norms governing international relations, uphold multilateralism and safeguard free trade.