On July 12, 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks with Prime Minister Khin Nyunt of the Union of Myanmar at the Great Hall of the People.
Wen Jiabao said that China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors of each other, and the two peoples have been living in peace and amity since ancient times and established "paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship. In recent years, relations between the two countries have maintained good momentum, with cooperation in politics, economy, culture and some other areas constantly expanding. To cement the traditional friendship and deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation is not only the common aspiration of people of the two countries but also the shared goal of the two governments. Persisting in building good-neighborly relationships and partnership with the neighboring countries, China stands ready to consolidate the "paukphaw" friendship with Myanmar and deepen cooperation with it in all areas so as to promote the comprehensive development of the bilateral relations.
Wen Jiabao held that the current international situations are not free from complexity, uncertainties and turmoil. Against this backdrop, it is highly necessary to enhance exchanges between leaders of the two countries. At the same time, the two countries should also deepen cooperation in international organizations, such as the United Nations, and exchange views and coordinate positions in time on their bilateral relations and issues of common concern. Wen Jiabao spoke highly of the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in combating drug-trafficking, expressing hopes that the two sides should intensify cooperation in this regard and establish a cooperation mechanism concerning management of the border between the two countries so as to fight ruthlessly against transnational crimes. With regard to the economic and trade relations, Wen Jiabao noted that China will continue to provide economic assistance to Myanmar within its available resources with the ultimate goal of improving Myanmar's capability for self-development. He proposed that the two sides should further expand the bilateral trade volume, set priority cooperation projects and ensure their successful implementation, and enhance exchanges of experience in economic development.
During the talks, Wen Jiabao expressed appreciation to the Myanmar government for its long-term adherence to the one-China policy.
Khin Nyunt said that Myanmar is satisfied with the development of relations with China. The Myanmar government and people are thankful to China for its selfless assistance in an effort to help with Myanmar's national construction and economic development. He agreed to the proposal of Wen Jiabao that cooperation between the two countries should be strengthened, and expressed the hope that the two sides will enhance the pragmatic cooperation in trade, energy, industry, mining, telecommunications and agriculture.
Khin Nyunt reaffirmed that Myanmar will firmly pursue the one-China policy.
Khin Nyunt also briefed Wen Jiabao on the current domestic situations in Myanmar, and the two sides exchanged views in this regard. Khin Nyunt said that Myanmar is grateful for and takes seriously the recommendations of the Chinese friends, stressing that Myanmar will actively commit itself to maintaining national unity and political stability, continue the democratization process it has mapped out and develop good-neighborly and friendly relations with its neighboring countries, including China.
Wen Jiabao said that China hopes Myanmar will maintain its political stability, economic development and national amity, with its people living and working in peace and contentment. What happened in Myanmar is its internal affairs and should be addressed by the government and people of Myanmar themselves through consultations. The international community may provide constructive help to Myanmar on the precondition of showing respect for its sovereignty. As a neighbor and friend of Myanmar, China hopes that Myanmar will address the existing problems in a timely and appropriate manner so as to accelerate the process of political reconciliation and democratization in a real sense and embark on the road to unity, stability, peace and development at an early date.
Following the talks, the two sides signed 11 cooperation documents, including the agreement on economic and technological cooperation. Wen Jiabao and Khin Nyunt attended the signing ceremony.