September 27, 2019

Vice President U Myint Swe addressed a reception to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) held at the Myanmar International Convention Center-II (MICC-II) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

Vice President U Myint Swe and wife Daw Khin Thet Htay were welcomed on arrival by Ambassador of China to Myanmar Mr Chen Hai and officials.

Next the Vice President and wife together with the Chinese Ambassador observed the photo exhibit of Belt and Road Initiative and China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.

The ceremony started off with the playing of the song commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the PRC followed by attendees of the event saluting the flags as national anthems of the Republic of Union of Myanmar and the People’s Republic of China were played. Afterwards the Chinese Ambassador delivered a message of greetings.
Vice President U Myint Swe then delivered a speech speaking of being honored for attending the event as the main guest on behalf of the government of Myanmar. The Vice President expressed his appreciation to the government and peoples of the PRC and the Chinese Ambassador. The Vice President spoke of his happiness in the recent appointment of Ambassador Mr Chen Hai and trusted that the ambassador would work closely hand in hand with the Myanmar government towards the continued development of bilateral relations.
From the time the PRC was established seven decades ago and especially during the last 40 years when reforms and the open door policy were practiced it was an honor to see the rapid social and economic developments of the PRC. Furthermore due to the efforts made during the past 70 years, more than 700 million of PRC’s population was freed from poverty. It has now become a country with the most rapid economic development in the world and had become the second biggest economically powerful country in the world. It was seen happily as the most successful country. During these years the PRC’s economy developed significantly.

In 1952, the PRC’s GDP was at about US$ 30 billion and by 2018 it had increased tremendously to US$ 13.61 trillion. In 1978, China’s GDP stands at 11th in the world and from 2010 to now it had established itself as the second most economically powerful country.

The PRC successfully implemented the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation and was believed to continue achieving more successes.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1950, the paukphaw relations existed. In 2020 the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations will be commemorated in both countries. During this 70 year period, through mutual exchanges and close cooperation, significant progress was seen in politics, economics, culture, education and other sectors.

At the moment the bilateral relations has increased to all round strategic friendly relations level. In accord with the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence deeper and closer cooperation and friendly relations were established.

The PRC was Myanmar’s biggest trading partner country and it was the country with the second biggest investment in Myanmar. Close cooperation and friendly relations have been maintained and PRC being the biggest trading partner and investor played an important role in Myanmar-China bilateral relation. High level visits of leaders continue to raise the mutual respect and trust between the two countries.

The Vice President spoke of attending the 16th China-ASEAN Expo, Business and Investment Summit held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region last week where views were exchanged with PRC officials on increasing bilateral and regional economic development work processes. PRC President Xi Jinping was honored for reviving and re-introducing the old Silk Road program. The current bilateral relations and cooperation would continue to thrive and grow in the future under the Belt and Road Initiative and Myanmar-China Economic Corridor program.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing in April 2019. The forum raised the existing friendly bilateral relations to the next level and created opportunities to raise cooperation even further. Through signing of three agreements “Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement,” “China-Myanmar Economic Corridor Cooperation Plan (2019-2030)” and “Agreement on Formulation of the Five-Year Development Program for Economic and Trade Cooperation” the momentum of bilateral cooperation has been raised further.

PRC President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative was expected and trusted to bring forth positive developments to Myanmar and mutual benefits.

The PRC was appreciated for continuously providing assistance in education, health, social, rural development, poverty alleviation and the peace process of Myanmar. The PRC was providing positive assistance and support towards Myanmar government’s effort in resolving the Rakhine State issue and this was highly valued and appreciated. It was hoped that Myanmar would continue receiving such understanding and support from the PRC in the future.

The Vice President spoke of continuing and raising the bilateral relations and cooperation together on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the PRC.

Afterwards, Vice President U Myint Swe and wife, and Chinese Ambassador Mr Chen Hai cut the cake to commemorate the 70th Founding of the People’s Republic of China and posed for commemorative group photos.

Later Vice President U Myint Swe and wife and attendees were hosted to a dinner by the Chinese Ambassador Mr Chen Hai.

The ceremony was also attended by Union Election Commission Chairman U Hla Thein and wife Daw Aye Thida, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, former President U Htin Kyaw and wife Daw Su Su Lwin, Union Ministers and their wives, Union Civil Service Board Chairman and wife, the Chinese Ambassador Mr Chen Hai, Ambassadors, diplomats and invited guests— MNA