Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thein Sein fosters Chinese, Japanese, Thai relations

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Tuesday, 20 November 2012 15:59 Mizzima News

Speaking at the 15th ASEAN-China Summit in Phnom Penh on Monday evening, Burmese President Thein Sein said that close relations with China would contribute to regional and global peace, stability and development.

With Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and other Asian heads of state in attendance, Thein Sein said that since joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1997, Myanmar [Burma] has cooperated with other countries to further strengthen ASEAN-China relations and has constantly supported China.

“The establishment of the ASEAN Community will benefit future generations and the peoples of ASEAN and China,” he said. “And close relations with China will contribute to regional and global peace, stability and development.”

The Burmese President said that continued efforts must be made to increase economic cooperation, including cooperation in ASEAN-China trade and investment, and the development of southern and northern economic corridors among Mekong region countries. He said that such corridors reflect the vital role of China in the ASEAN economy.

Earlier in the day, Thein Sein led a Burmese government delegation in meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.

The Burmese President was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Wunna Maung Lwin, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Dr. Kan Zaw, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Zin Yaw and several departmental heads.

According to a statement on the President’s Office website on Tuesday, the Japanese premier said that Japan would provide Yen 50 billion (US $615 million) as a new loan for the development of ethnic nationalities in the border areas, the construction of Thilawa Port, the construction of deep sea ports, funds for poverty alleviation, and assistance in the communications sector ahead of Burma hosting the 2013 SEA Games and 2014 ASEAN Chairmanship.

And prior to talks with the Japanese, Thein Sein met with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in the Peace Palace.

According to the President’s website, the two leaders exchanged views about the development of the Dawei Special Economic Zone and reached an agreement on implementation of the project.

“Thailand will implement regional development tasks including roads, deep sea port, industrial zone, power plant, water supply, water treatment system, communications, [and a] high speed train in Dawei Special Economic Zone and in the related project area,” the statement said.

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