PLA senior officer meets Myanmar's commander of armed forces

China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou met with Myanmar's Commander of the Armed Forces Min Aung Hlaing on Tuesday, expressing the hope to expand cooperation.

China attaches great importance to friendly cooperation with Myanmar's armed forces and is ready to join with them to expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation, maintain peace and stability along the border areas and contribute to the two countries' common development, said Xu.

Xu spoke highly of the development of China-Myanmar relations in recent years and recalled his visit to the country in May.

China appreciates Myanmar's long-term and valuable support on major issues concerning China's core interests, Xu said, adding that China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and understands the will of the Myanmar's government and people to maintain national unity.

"To strengthen the good-neighborly relationship between China and Myanmar is of great importance to the two countries' peoples and economic and social development," Xu said.

Min Aung Hlaing stressed the deep friendly sentiment between the two countries' peoples and armed forces. The Myanmar-China friendship will not change no matter how the international situation changes, he said.

The commander said Myanmar will continue to strengthen strategic mutual trust and reciprocal cooperation with China and maintain the two countries' common interests.

Min Aung Hlaing started his official good-will visit on Nov. 29 at the invitation of Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This is also his sixth China visit. In addition to Beijing, he also visited some military academies and toured Shanghai, Hangzhou and Chengdu.

Posted in: Chinese armed forces