China-Myanmar ties cemented

China and Myanmar reaffirmed they would enhance their economic ties on Friday, particularly cooperation on major projects, as President Xi Jinping met with his Myanmar counterpart President U Thein Sein ahead of a regional forum.

At the meeting between Xi and U Thein Sein, the first since Xi was elected president in March, the two sides signed economic cooperation agreements and issued a joint statement that reiterates their firm political support for each other.

The meeting comes after a time in recent years when bilateral ties faced challenges.

In the meeting, Xi said "China encourages and supports enterprises to take part in Myanmar's national construction and hopes that the two sides can cooperate closely to ensure that major cooperation projects can be smoothly implemented".

In response, U Thein Sein said, "Myanmar welcomes Chinese enterprises to continue to participate in Myanmar's economic buildup.

"Myanmar is dedicated to reform and opening up and pursues stable development, and hopes to get continuous support from China," U Thein Sein said.

A large-scale China-sponsored project in Myanmar has been stalled in recent years due to some opposing voices within Myanmar.

Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Yang Houlan told Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday that there has been more diversification in Myanmar's politics over the past two years.

In the meeting on Friday, Xi urged that bilateral relations should "not to be distracted by outside forces", and to unswervingly push forward China-Myanmar friendship.