First Secretary of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt met visiting Chinese Minister of Public Security Jia Chunwang Yangon Wednesday.

The two sides exchanged views on combating transnational crimes, especially on drug-related ones, cooperation in drug control and promotion of exchange between the public security departments of the two countries as well as matters of mutual concern.

Khin Nyunt said the friendly ties between Myanmar and China, which were forged by Myanmar and Chinese leaders of older generations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, have developed well.

In recent years, he noted, the frequent exchange of visits of high-ranking leaders between the two countries has further deepened bilateral ties.

Myanmar and China have supported each other in international affairs, he said, adding that the Myanmar people will never forget the economic aid extended by China.

He stressed that the Myanmar government and people will stick to the "one-China" policy.

At the meeting, Jia said China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. After the founding of New China, Myanmar was one of the earliest countries that diplomatically recognized the People's Republic of China.

During more than half-century's time in the past, Sino-Myanmar relations maintained a steady pace of development no matter how the international climate changed, he noted.

Last year, China and Myanmar issued a joint statement on bilateral cooperation in the future, he recalled, saying that the two sides are making positive efforts to implement accords signed between them.

On the issue of drug control, Khin Nyunt said Myanmar and China have conducted good cooperation. The two countries share a very long common border and Myanmar is sure to further strengthen cooperation with China in this field, he noted.

Jia described narcotic drugs as the common enemy of the human society.

The Chinese government has made tireless efforts to control drug abuse, he said, hoping that the Myanmar Ministry of Home Affairs will strengthen cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security in suppression of drug-related crimes.

Jia arrived here on Tuesday for a five-day visit at the invitation of Myanmar CCDAC Chairman and Minister of Home Affairs Colonel Tin Hlaing.

(Xinhua 01/17/2001)