Nay Pyi Taw, August 14 (Xinhua) — On August 14 local time, Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing met with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, in Nay Pyi Taw.

Min Aung Hlaing stated that Myanmar and China jointly initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and have always conducted friendly cooperation in accordance with the spirit of these principles. Myanmar attaches great importance to its relations with China, is committed to developing Myanmar-China friendship, firmly upholds the one-China principle, and is willing to forever be a friendly neighbor that China can trust. Myanmar looks forward to working with China to advance Belt and Road cooperation and to strengthen cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, infrastructure, agriculture, and energy to benefit the peoples of both countries. He congratulated Chinese athletes on their outstanding performance at the Paris Olympics. Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Myanmar-China diplomatic relations, and the two sides can jointly hold celebratory events to carry forward traditional friendship and push for greater development of bilateral relations. He thanked China for its constructive role in promoting peace talks in northern Myanmar and expressed the hope that China will continue to support Myanmar in maintaining domestic stability and achieving political reconciliation. Myanmar is also willing to continue cooperating with China to jointly combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud, and will never allow any act that harms China's security and interests.

Wang Yi stated that China and Myanmar are connected by mountains and rivers and share a profound paukphaw friendship. Seventy years ago, the older generation of leaders of the two countries jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which have been widely recognized by the international community and have become basic norms of international relations and fundamental principles of international law. China-Myanmar friendship has withstood the test of history and international vicissitudes, has always maintained a momentum of steady development, and has set the goal of building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future. China's friendly policy toward Myanmar is oriented toward all the people of Myanmar, and China adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and respects Myanmar's political traditions and the development path chosen by Myanmar in light of its national conditions. We appreciate Myanmar's adherence to the one-China principle and its firm support for China on issues involving China's core interests.

Wang Yi pointed out that China firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity, firmly supports Myanmar's efforts for domestic peace and stability and economic development, and firmly supports Myanmar in advancing the new "five-point roadmap" within the constitutional framework so as to achieve political reconciliation at an early date, resume the democratic transition process, and find a path to lasting peace and stability. As a friendly neighbor, China opposes turmoil and conflict in Myanmar, opposes interference by outside forces in Myanmar's internal affairs, and opposes any words or deeds aimed at driving a wedge in China-Myanmar relations or slandering and smearing China.

Wang Yi said that China's further comprehensive deepening of reform and advancement of Chinese modernization will bring new development opportunities to the world, especially to neighboring countries. China is willing to deepen cooperation with Myanmar in various fields, accelerate the implementation of major projects under Belt and Road cooperation and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, ensure the sound operation of the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines, help Myanmar improve people's livelihood, and promote more tangible results in building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future. It is hoped that Myanmar will earnestly safeguard the safety of Chinese personnel and projects in Myanmar, maintain peace and stability along the China-Myanmar border, and step up joint efforts to combat cross-border crime so as to create a safe environment for exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

During his visit to Myanmar, Wang Yi held talks with Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Than Swe and met with Than Shwe, former Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar.