Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Li Jinjun held a grand reception in Yangon Wednesday to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar and to open the China Culture Month.  

Attending the event were First Secretary of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Lieutenant-General Thein Sein, Foreign Minister U Nyan Win and some other Myanmar ministers as well as representatives of overseas Chinese in Myanmar totaling nearly 500.

Ambassador Li said that China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers and the two peoples have had close exchange and lived on good terms since ancient times, having forged deep "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship.

After the establishment of the diplomatic ties in 1950, leaders of older generation of the two countries made reciprocal visits and jointly promoted the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, he noted.

Entering into the new century, the two countries issued a joint statement with regard to future bilateral cooperation, pointing out the clear direction for the development of their bilateral ties in the 21st century, the Chinese ambassador added.

He went on to say that in recent years, there have been many achievements in the two countries' economic and trade cooperation, the exchange and cooperation in the sectors such as culture, education, health, sports and drug control have deepened day after day along.

At the reception, First Secretary of the SPDC Lieutenant-General Thein Sein said Myanmar and China are good neighbors and have traditionally enjoyed good and friendly relations since time immemorial based on mutual respect and understanding.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950, the ties that bind the two countries have been strengthened and the relationship has blossomed into a special kinship known as Paukphaw friendship, he noted.

He also said that Myanmar was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China after its founding in October 1949 and has constantly upheld the one-China policy.

Myanmar-China relations of friendship and cooperation have grown from strength to strength and bilateral cooperation in various sectors has been progressing well to their mutual benefit, he pointed out.

He emphasized that Myanmar and China have been able to work closely in regional and international forums and that their endeavors have contributed to the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity of the two countries and the region as a whole.

In celebration of the event, the China Culture Month activities, jointly sponsored by the Chinese embassy and the Myanmar ministries of culture and information, was formally inaugurated on Wednesday. The activities of the month include China's photo, painting, phototaking and film exhibitions, performances of Heilongjiang cultural troupe and men's friendly matches between Sichuan and Myanmar volleyball teams.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2005)