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Business Spats With Myanmar Can Be Resolved, Says China

The talks with Mr Wang in the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw were Ms Suu Kyi’s first official meeting since her appointment as foreign minister.

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Political prisoners and jailed student activists in Myanmar could be released within days, after President Htin Kyaw said this is a priority for the newly elected National League of Democracy (NLD) government.

Aung San Suu Kyi stated during the election campaign past year that she would hold a position “above the president”.

Mr. Wang emphasised economic cooperation with Myanmar.

The measure, approved last week by Parliament’s upper house, will now go to President Htin Kyaw for his signature.

Immediately following her appointment as State Counselor, Aung San Suu Kyi announced plans to secure the release of political prisoners and detained activists “as soon as possible”.

Other Chinese projects in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, have proved controversial, among them the Letpadaung copper mine, which has repeatedly sparked protests from people living nearby, and twin Chinese oil and gas pipelines across the country. China’s policy toward Myanmar will not be affected by the change of domestic situation in the country, he stressed.

Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion on Thursday offered to help with efforts to end ongoing civil wars between armed ethnic groups and the Myanmar military in the country’s northern, northeastern and western regions, the Associated Press reported.

“I am going to try… for the immediate release of political prisoners, political activists and students facing trial related to politics”, Suu Kyi wrote in a statement published on Facebook.

But the party has to share power with the military under the terms of a constitution drafted by the armed forces and senior officers still hold the Cabinet positions for interior, defence and border affairs. The U.S., which is competing with China for influence over ASEAN, also considers Myanmar a key country. She is now an influential insider with access to key figures after many trips to the country and has also become friends with The Lady.

But Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry vice-president Dr Maung Maung Lay said unethical Chinese businesses and a close relationship with the previous regime had created problems.

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Suu Kyi, the internationally recognized democracy advocate, is barred from becoming president because her late husband was British, as are her two sons.

Leader of the National League for Democracy party and Myanmar's new Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi smiles during a press conference after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Naypyitaw Myanmar