President Jiang Zemin On the afternoon of January 7, 2003, President Jiang Zemin held talks with visiting Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar Than Shwe at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides reviewed the achievements in bilateral ties since President Jiang visited Myanmar at the end of 2001 in a candid and friendly atmosphere, and exchanged in-depth opinions and reached broad consensus on the development of bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

Jiang warmly welcomed Than Shwe for his visit, saying he believes that this visit will further enhance the pawkphaw friendship between China and Myanmar and promote the overall development of bilateral ties.

Jiang said that as neighboring countries, China and Myanmar have traditional friendship that traces back to ancient times. It is the set policy of China to maintain good-neighborly friendly relations of cooperation with Myanmar, and to always remain a good neighbor, a good friend and a good partner of Myanmar. Jiang recalled his 2001 visit to Myanmar during which he and Than Shwe agreed to make agriculture, human resources and natural resources tapping, and infrastruction construction key fields of bilateral cooperation. He said that in the past year the relevant departments of the two countries took substantial measures, implement concrete programs and made satisfying achievements. He said that currently the economic cooperation advances smoothly, with bilateral trade on the increase and the two countries maintain good coordination and cooperation. Jiang said that the Chinese side feels satisfied with the healthy, stable and overall development of China-Myanmar relations.

Jiang expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the government of Myanmar for its long-term adherence to the One China policy and its firm support to the peaceful reunification cause of China. Jiang said that China stands for the variety of the world, advocates the democratization of international relations and the diversification of developing modes, and maintains that affairs in every country should be decided by its own people. He also reiterated that China supports the efforts made by the government of Myanmar to safeguard its national independence and sovereignty, and supports Myanmar's developing path that accords with its national situation.

Jiang stressed that China attaches great importance to developing traditional friendship with Myanmar and is ready to make joint efforts with the Myanmar side to intensify the overall bilateral cooperation to hand down the China-Myanmar pawkphaw generation from generation. Jiang said that the two countries should further strengthen reciprocal economic cooperation, adding that China will support capable and reputable Chinese enterprises in conducting mutually beneficial cooperation of various forms and participating in the economic construction in Myanmar. He also expressed the wish that Myanmar keep improving its investment environment so as to facilitate Chinese investment and cooperation. He said that the Chinese government has decided to extend US$200 million loan on favorable terms to Myanmar for its economic construction. Jiang pointed out that the two countries should expand cooperation in such fields as science, technology, culture, education, sports, public health and tourism, as there is still much space for cooperation. He said the two sides should continue to coordinate and cooperate on regional and international issues and within the framework of multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the ASEAN Regional Forum, as well as further cooperation among East Asian countries with 10+3 its major channel, so as to promote even greater development of the Sino-ASEAN relations.

Than Shwe thanked Jiang for having invited him to visit China again. He recalled his last visit to China in 1996 and said that he has seen the great changes China has undergone during the last six years. He also said that the Union of Myanmar and the Myanmar people feel heartfelt gladness and admiration for the great achievements of China.

Than Shwe said that during the recent years Myanmar-China traditional friendship has been fully developed and the frequent mutual visits between the leaders of the two countries have played an important role in furthering bilateral friendship. He said that his current visit to China is aimed at enhancing pawkphaw between the two countries and two peoples and furthering bilateral cooperation of all fields. He said that Myanmar has received selfless and sincere help from China during the process of building its country, which has played an important part in the economic development and gained deep appreciation of Myanmar. He said that China is the most sincere friend of Myanmar. He also recalled President Jiang's 2001 visit to Myanmar during which Jiang suggested listing agriculture, human resources, natural resources and infrastructure building, as key fields of furthering bilateral cooperation. He added that the three fields are of vital significance to the economic development and national construction of Myanmar, and Myanmar is satisfied to see the progress in Myanmar-China cooperation in these three fields in the past year, attributing it to the joint efforts of related departments of both sides. He also said that Myanmar pays high attention to the cooperation with China, sincerely welcomes Chinese companies to invest in Myanmar and participate in the economic construction of Myanmar, so as to promote the economic development of Myanmar.

Than Shwe reiterated that Myanmar will unswervingly adhere to the One China policy and support the reunification cause of China.

Than Shwe said that the relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have developed continuously in the recent years, adding that Myanmar, as a member of ASEAN, is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in the international and regional affairs, so as to help China strengthen its relations with ASEAN.

Than Shwe also briefed Jiang Zemin on the domestic situation in Myanmar.

After the talks, Jiang and Than Shwe attended the signing ceremony for three agreements on economic and technological cooperation, cooperation in public health, and sport cooperation.