NAY PYI TAW, 21 June - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Vice-Senior General Maung Aye met Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China at Zhongnanhai Hall in Beijing at 4.15 pm on 16 June.

Together with Vice-Senior General Maung Aye were SPDC Secretary-1 General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, SPDC member Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Lt-Gen Tha Aye and Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing of the Ministry of Defence, Ministers U Nyan Win, U Soe Tha, Col Zaw Min, Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein and Brig-Gen Lun Thi and departmental heads. Together with the Chinese Premier were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Wang Guangya, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Ye Dabo, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Hu Zheng Yue and high-ranking officials.

First, in his greetings, the Chinese Premier said he warmly welcomed Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and goodwill delegation members. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye has visited China many times and he is the one who has always given priority to strengthening the relationship between China and Myanmar. The Premier said he believed the visit would further cement the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye said he thanked China for having accorded its warm welcome and hospitality since the Myanmar delegation arrived in Beijing. He was very delighted to have the opportunity to see the Premier first among the Chinese leaders after the delegation had arrived in China, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye added. The relationship between the two countries is based on Paukphaw relations. China and Myanmar have been good neighbourly nations for many years based on mutual understanding, respect and friendship. This is the third time he has arrived in China and the aim of the visit is to scale up friendly ties and economic cooperation between the two nations, said Vice-Senior General Maung Aye.

Then, he talked about China's assistance to the development of Myanmar's economy, promotion of bilateral trade cooperation, multilateral economic cooperation, regional cooperation and bilateral cooperation in the international community. Afterwards, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye invited the Chinese Premier to visit Myanmar at a convenient time.

The Chinese Premier said diplomatic relations between the two countries will turn 60 and during the past 60 years, mutual friendship and cooperation have been cemented. Besides, all the difficulties facing the two countries could have been overcome.

The leaders of both countries have tried their best to further strengthen the relations and cooperation between the two nations. The success has been achieved because China always considers the relations with Myanmar important under the China's foreign policy.

The Premier went on to say that China is cooperating with Myanmar for her economic development. After the 2008 cyclone Nargis, China rendered assistance to Myanmar. Moreover, the relations between the two nations have been firmed and improved based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence.

The Premier added in the international community, China would protect the fair interests of Myanmar. The bilateral cooperation includes economic and other sectors and they are making progress forever. In rendering assistance to the development of Myanmar's economy, China will do so in accord with the no strings-attached policy. Emphasis will be placed on promotion of the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. He thanked Vice-Senior General Maung Aye for inviting him to Myanmar. He then said he conveyed his greetings to Head of State Senior General Than Shwe and the Prime Minister through Vice-Senior General Maung Aye. Then the meeting ended.

(Source: The New Light of Myanmar dated 22 June 2009)