Thura U Shwe Mann

Mr Jia Qinglin

Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar met Mr Jia Qinglin, member of Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, at Xin Jiang Hall in , Beijing on 23 February evening.

Also present at the call together with the Speaker were, Chairman U Thein Zaw of Pyithu Hluttaw National Races Affairs and Peace-making Committee, Chairman of International Relations Committee U Hla Myint Oo, Chairman of the Pyithu Hluttaw Judicial and Legislative Committee Thura U Aung Ko, Chairman of the Pyithu Hluttaw Social Development Committee U Maung Maung Swe, Chairman of the Pyithu Hluttaw Water Transport Development Committee U Kyi Min, Speaker of Yangon Region Hluttaw U Sein Tin Win, Speaker of Ayeyawady Region Hluttaw U Hsan Hsint, Chairman of Pyithu Hluttaw Reform and Development Vetting Committee Dr Maung Maung Wint, member of Pyithu Hluttaw Public Management Committee Col Htay Naing, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Tin Oo and officials from Pyithu Hluttaw and Myanmar Embassy.

Mr Jia Qinglin was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Zhang Zxi Jun, Deputy Secretary-General of National People’s Congress Mr Cao Wei Xhoui, Deputy General Secretary of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr Wang Zheng Hong, Head of Poli-Bureau of Chinese People’s Congress Office Mr Hu Xiao Li, Head of Foreign Affairs of the Office of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr Xia Ji Hui and Secretary of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr Sang Fu Hua.

At the call, Mr Jia Qinglin said that he paid a goodwill visit to Myanmar in April, 2011 at the invitation of the Speaker. He thanked Myanmar for hospitability during his visit. He felt that there exists deeply-rooted Pauk-Phaw relationship between Myanmar and China. The Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker said that he took pride for extending a warm welcome to Myanmar delegation. He and Hluttaw representative took pride for Mr Jia Qinglin’s last year’s visit to Myanmar as it could enhance amity and cooperation between Myanmar-China and amount to recognize Hluttaw that plays major role in Myanmar’s reform process.

He would like to say again that Myanmar and its people thanked China for its right stand on Myanmar. Myanmar was now on the right track as China always stood by Myanmar at a time when Super Powers imposed sanctions on Myanmar last years.

In the matter of lifting bans on Myanmar, Myanmar always thanked China for its stance on Myanmar’s interest.

Myanmar underscored China’s peaceful development programmes and was ready to learn China’s experience and suggestions regarding Hluttaw affairs that emerge in Myanmar.

Myanmar was taking step towards a disciplined, democratic country. So, Myanmar needed China’s rightful stance and cooperation. Myanmar had been constantly practising the independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. In line with that policy, Myanmar would maintain relations with other countries. In so doing, leaders from the US and EU held talks with Myanmar. He had a talk with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Myanmar’s major purpose maintained relations with international countries. Only then, Myanmar strongly believed that they could systematically build an expected democratic country. Myanmar would promote already existed friendship and cooperation with China while maintaining relations with international countries.

Myanmar would strengthen multifaceted strategic cooperation with China and relations with countries. Especially, both countries need to have same views on regional security and defence matters. China lies at Northeast and North of Myanmar as a big security wall of Myanmar.

Myanmar is located at West and Southwest of China as a security guard, he added Mr Jia Qinglin said that he thanked for the Speaker’s detailed explanations. Sino-Myanmar relation was in good condition. Five principles of peaceful coexistences laid down by the leaders of Myanmar and China was a good political heritage for the global countries.

Myanmar and China had already established as multifaceted strategic cooperation partners. Cooperation between the two countries saw a lot of progress in all sectors. The world saw rapid changes in political and economic. Some countries’ economy became stagnant. The majority of European countries were facing debt crisis while Asian countries were seeing economic development.

Mr Jia Qinglin said his view is that both Myanmar and China need to work ardently for improving the relations in all aspects. The fact that the two countries are geographically bound together will yield many benefits in the bilateral relations. Despite changes in global politics, Sino-Myanmar ties have never changed and they have been very good neighbourly nations for ever. It is therefore necessary to adopt action plans for the two countries to reach the stage of multilaterally strategic cooperation. Chinese political consultative conference needs to try to promote cooperation with the Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw of Myanmar, he noted.

The second point is that mutual support and assistance between the two countries and it is one significant point in the area of bilateral relations. Mr Jia Qinglin added that his visit to Myanmar two weeks after a new government took office has shown China’s support for the Myanmar new government and Hluttaw. It is also heartening to see that the new Myanmar government has achieved certain success in its efforts for people’s socio-economic improvement. China fully supports the road the Myanmar people have chosen for their own development. And it will never accept any move of Western countries that makes no contribution towards Myanmar’s economic development.

Thirdly, practical cooperation between the two nations will continue and that cooperation will greatly benefit Myanmar, which has experienced some nations’ sanctions and restrictions for years.

Mr Jia Qinglin went on to say that the agreements the two countries have singed on cooperation in construction of railroads and motor roads and connection of gas pipelines are indeed cooperation projects that will generate many benefits in the long run. However, some forces are instigating to disrupt those projects and both sides need to deal with their attempts with great care.

One important point in the bilateral relations is prevalence of rule of law, peace and stability in border regions. The capability to maintain peace and stability in China-Myanmar border areas are mutually beneficial. The new Myanmar government has seen success in its efforts for ensuring national reconsolidation in the nation. China always respects Myanmar’s sovereignty and believes that Myanmar’s government will be able to address its internal issues, concluded Mr Jia Qinglin.

In response, the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker expressed his thanks for the suggestions, saying that the five principles of peaceful co-existence laid down by the leaders of the two countries really contribute to peace and tranquility. Myanmar is very grateful to China for giving assistance to addressing the issue of internal armed insurgency. So, Myanmar wants to receive China’s continued assistance if necessary, said the Speaker.

He said he supports the action plans to reach the stage of multilaterally strategic cooperation between the two countries. China’s political and executive affairs are found to have been good and effective.

As for democratic practice, it is practically being exercised in the Communist Party, Chinese Political Consultative Conference, Chinese National People’s Congress and other various parties. So, it can be said that China is practising democracy in a correct way.

The Speaker added that the purpose of his visit was to learn China’s experiences and to let China know that the economic projects between the two countries will continue till success yielding mutual benefits. Moreover, no matter whoever causes instigation, Myanmar will ever negotiate and cooperate with China by living together in unity and amity for the wellbeing of both countries, concluded the Speaker.