On 29 August, MOU Signing Ceremony of China-Myanmar Friendship Forest was held in Nay Pyi Taw. Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Chen Hai, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman H. E. Dr. Myo Aung, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation H. E. U Ohn Win, Union Minister for International Cooperation H. E. U Kyaw Tin, members of Nay Pyi Taw council, representatives from the Chinese Embassy and relevant departments of Myanmar government attended the ceremony.
Ambassador Chen Hai said that while pursuing economic development, we should also pay attention to environmental protection and ecological progress, which are related to the well-being of the people and the future of the nation. Chinese president Xi Jinping proposed that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. China is now advancing related work on top-level design, planning and implementation in order to protect the environment like protecting our eyes so as to build a beautiful China.
Ambassador Chen Hai said that Myanmar government is actively promoting afforestation and ecological protection. China supports Myanmar's green development path and is willing to become its partner. China and Myanmar are jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. China is willing to further deepen cooperation with Myanmar and integrate the concept of environmental protection into the whole process of cooperation, so as to jointly build a Green Silk Road and a Green Economic Corridor, promoting the sustainable development of Myanmar.
Chairman Myo Aung said that the construction of China-Myanmar Friendship Forest is of great significance to the development of Nay Pyi Taw. Our cooperation will benefit local residents as well as domestic and foreign tourists. The China-Myanmar Friendship Forest will become a symbol of friendship between the two countries. The Nay Pyi Taw Council will protect the friendship forest and ensure its growth, playing an active role in promoting Myanmar-China relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Mr Yang Shouzheng, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, and U Tun Naing, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Nay Pyi Taw Council, signed the memorandum of cooperation on behalf of the two parties.
After the signing ceremony, Ambassador Chen Hai, Chairman U Myo Aung and Union Minister U Ohn Win went to the Friendship Forest to plant saplings together, marking the official launch of the project.
***
The China-Myanmar Friendship Forest is jointly planned and constructed by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar and the Nay Pyi Taw Council. It is located in the park in front of the MICC-2 in Nay Pyi Taw, covering an area of 18.62 acres. More than 3,000 trees will be planted in batches within 4 years. It will open to the public after completion of the plantation.