During his two-day visit in Myanmar, which transpired just after the new government assumed office, Wang also met with Aung San Suu Kyi. (Photo : Getty Images)
During a visit to Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hopes of renewed and strengthened ties with the Asian neighbor. On Tuesday, April 5, Wang said that China and Myanmar should "properly tackle issues facing their cooperation" and "reinforce high-level exchanges as soon as possible," according to an article by China Daily.
During his two-day visit in Myanmar, which transpired just after the new government assumed office, Wang also met with Aung San Suu Kyi.
"China-Myanmar relations are now at a new historical starting point," said Wang, as China's visit highlighted the existing friendship between the two nations.
Wang is the first top foreign diplomat to meet with Suu Kyi after the new Myanmar government assumed office on March 30. Suu Kyi, who represented the National League for Democracy, won by a landslide.
Suu Kyi, at a news conference held after her meeting with Wang, said that relations between China and Myanmar are "important politically as well as socially and economically," Agence France-Presse reported.
China is keen on improving relations with its neighbor, promising that the country will support Myanmar in its quest to reconcile the whole country. In addition, Myanmar plays a pivotal role as the country serves as China's largest trade partner and investment source.
"China is a good neighbor to Myanmar. We want to improve the relationship between the two countries," Wang said.
Under its new leadership, Myanmar will pursue policies that will lead to greater economic growth and improvement in its industries, which are greatly lacking.
"Myanmar wants to update its water projects and infrastructure and develop its industrial parks, while China happens to have vast experience," said Xu Liping, a senior research fellow from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Chinese investment, according to Nyunt Maung Shein, chairman of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, "will always be welcome in Myanmar."
China-Myanmar relations "have been tested over time," said Nyunt in an interview with China Daily.
China's role as an investor will greatly help Myanmar with its development, effectively creating job opportunities and promoting corporate social responsibility and preservation of the environment.
