Top legislator raises proposals for China-Myanmar relations

NAY PYI TAW  -- Visiting China's top legislator Wu Bangguo on Thursday put forward proposals for closer China-Myanmar relationship, calling for smooth advancement of large projects between the two countries and joint efforts for stability in the border region.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), made the proposals during talks with Thura U Shwe Mann, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Myanmar.

Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Thura U Shwe Mann, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Myanmar, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Sept. 13, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Wu arrived here on Wednesday for an official goodwill visit to Myanmar, the first-ever visit to Myanmar by a chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

"I hope the two countries could earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and further deepen traditional friendship, enhance mutually-beneficial cooperation and promote common development," said Wu.

Wu urged the two countries to maintain high-level visits and exchange views in time on major issues of mutual concern, and lay down an action plan at an early date for enriching China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic partnership.

He said the two countries should take positive measures to deepen win-win cooperation and ensure the successful advancement of such large projects like China-Myanmar oil and natural gas pipeline project so as to encourage the enterprises to gain confidence in bilateral trade exchanges.

Wu said China is willing to continue to enhance cooperation with Myanmar on border management and jointly safeguard stability in the border region, adding that China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity and hopes the relevant parties of Myanmar could solve problems through peaceful negotiation.

The Chinese leader also suggested the two countries step up coordination on the multilateral occasions like the United Nations, East Asia cooperation, ASEAN regional forum, and the greater Mekong sub-regional economic cooperation, support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and safeguard common benefits of both countries.

On parliament exchanges, Wu and Thura U Shwe Mann said the two legislative bodies will learn from each other on construction of democracy and legal system as well as state governance, increase communication on international and regional parliament organizations and help further cement China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic partnership.

Myanmar is the second stop of Wu's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Sri Lanka and Fiji. He had concluded his visit to Iran.