Speech at the Second “China-Myanmar Pauk Phaw Friendship Day” By Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe
H.E. Mr. Hong Liang, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Firstly, I would like to give my sincere congratulations on behalf of the Myanmar people on the successful celebration of the second “Myanmar-China Pauk Phaw Friendship Day” today.
As a representative of the Myanmar Government, I attended the 1st “Myanmar-China Pauk Phaw Friendship Day” Reception last year, and today I am honored again to celebrate with Your Excellency and all the distinguished guests the 2nd “Myanmar-China Pauk Phaw Friendship Day” this year.
Looking back on the history, we find that it is our two peoples who have been playing the most important role in promoting the Myanmar-China friendship. Myanmar and China are connected by a long border of 2205 kilometers (1384 miles), our two peoples have already become good neighbors since two thousand years ago. The two countries’ friendship is then basically formed from the geographical connection and close attachment between the peoples of both countries. Although there have no change on the geographic connection between the two countries, the relationship and friendship between our two peoples are improving rapidly with the time passing.
Myanmar and China established their diplomatic relations on June 8th 1950, which means today is the 67th anniversary.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Pauk Phaw friendship between our two peoples has become ever stronger and deeper with the increase of high-level mutual visits, culture and religious exchanges.
We are able to further our friendly and good neighborly relations with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as guideline, as is a testimony of the important role the Five Principles have played in promoting our relations.
On the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the Myanmar-China relations and cooperation have been expanding in an all-round way, our relations have been elevated to the level of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
After the new government of Myanmar took office, the relationships between leaders, peoples, political parties, parliaments and militaries of the two countries have been continuously improved. The new government is striving to develop a kind of Myanmar-China bilateral relations and cooperation based on the relations between our two peoples.
The recent visits to China by President U Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have further pushed our relationship forward, and enhanced our regional and international cooperation.
By the end of April 2017, the total foreign investment in Myanmar is about 71 billion dollars. China remains the largest foreign investor in Myanmar by investing 26.16% of the total amount. In addition, China remains the largest trading partner of Myanmar too. I am also very glad to see the continuous development in the economic and trade cooperation between our two countries.
I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to China on behalf of the Myanmar people for its assistance to Myanmar in education, health, social and rural development, poverty reduction areas and the peace process, etc. I am confident that further cooperation with China will benefit our two peoples.
Finally, I would like to conclude my speech by saying that just like the geographic connection between the two countries remains forever, our Pauk Phaw friendship and good neighborly relationship will get improved and strengthened day by day. I also hope that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation will get stronger and deeper.
Thank you very much!