After meeting with Wang Yi in the capital city of Naypyitaw, Suu Kyi told a joint press conference that “the two countries are neighbors and need to work together for peace and development”.
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Included in the new government in Myanmar, sworn in last week, are many many democratic activists who spent years in jail under the former military-ruled government.
Analysts say both nations seek to rebalance the relationship following Myanmar’s historic November elections that saw millions of voters take to the polls to end the military’s half century domination. “We did not discuss anything particular in detail”, she said. She is barred from the presidency by a clause in the junta-drafted charter disqualifying those with foreign close relatives.Suu Kyi would like to make sure the transition to democracy can’t be reversed.
Wang is the first top foreign diplomat to meet with Suu Kyi after the new Myanmar government assumed office on March 30.
China signalled on Tuesday that it will continue to “deepen mutual political trust” with Myanmar’s new government. Suu Kyi’s administration must still maintain smooth relations with the military that locked her and many of her colleagues up for years.
He pointed out that military exchanges constitute an important part of the brotherly friendship between China and Myanmar and the two armies should carry on their friendly traditions.
According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang said he was confident that China would resolve business disagreements with Myanmar in a friendly manner. She is also Myanmar’s Foreign Minister and Minister of the President’s Office. Outgoing Myanmar President Thein Sein in 2011 suspended the $3.6 billion, Chinese-invested Myitsone dam project.
“The good proposals on boosting pragmatic cooperation between the two countries put forward by the Chinese foreign minister demonstrated China’s willingness to further develop relations with Myanmar”. Chinese state media also confirmed Wang’s two-day visit. “Myanmar needs to succeed”.
China and Myanmar share major energy and transport projects and thriving trade ties.
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“Myanmar wants to update its water projects and infrastructure and develop its industrial parks, while China happens to have vast experience”, said Xu Liping, a senior research fellow from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Myanmar will not forget the support and help China has provided to the country especially during the hard times.
