Advertisement

China seeks closer relations with Myanmar

China's top legislator Wu Bangguo delivers the Standing Committee Work Report in the Great Hall of the People during the fourth session of the 10th National People's Congress being held in Beijing, China on Thursday, March 09, 2006. President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao joined lawmakers from all over the country in group discussions this week, calling for hard work to boost economic and social development and to build a harmonious society. (UPI Photo/Stephen Shaver)
China's top legislator Wu Bangguo delivers the Standing Committee Work Report in the Great Hall of the People during the fourth session of the 10th National People's Congress being held in Beijing, China on Thursday, March 09, 2006. President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao joined lawmakers from all over the country in group discussions this week, calling for hard work to boost economic and social development and to build a harmonious society. (UPI Photo/Stephen Shaver) | License Photo

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Wu Bangguo, China's top legislator visiting Myanmar, has offered proposals for closer bilateral relations, the official Chinese news agency said.

Wu, chairman of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, called for smooth advancement of large projects between the two countries and joint efforts for stability in the border region, Xinhua news agency reported.

Advertisement

Wu, after his meeting with Myanmar Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann, said: "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," Xinhua reported.

Wu called for the successful advancement of projects such as the China-Myanmar oil and natural gas pipeline project off the coast of Myanmar, which would facilitate Chinese imports of Middle East oil.

China has been a major trading partner of Myanmar and Beijing has been seeking to improve ties with the country's new, reform-minded civilian-led government which came to power last year after decades of military rule.

Last year, the new government, in a rare show of bowing to public protest, halted work on the $3.6 billion Chinese-backed Myitsone hydroelectric project in an environmentally sensitive region at the head of the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, formerly called Burma. There is public resentment in Myanmar against what is seen as Beijing's exploitation of that country's rich resources.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines