Myanmar to push Chinese projects

Myanmar President U Thein Sein pledged on Saturday to push forward projects backed by Chinese investors and protect their interests, signaling progress is being made after several major investments had been shelved.

"Myanmar will strive to protect the interests of foreign investors and push forward Chinese investment such as oil and gas development," Thein Sein said during a meeting with Premier Li Keqiang.

It is Thein Sein's second visit to China this year and his sixth since becoming president in 2011.

China is still the largest investor in Myanmar, but several projects, including hydroelectricity and copper development, have been put on hold due to local resistance.

Li said frequent visits between the leaders of the two countries have shown deep friendship and China is willing to sign a treaty of good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation which will help reinforce the relations.

He said China will ease the establishment of an upgraded version of the China-ASEAN free trade area and promote the newly-established Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank to contribute to regional cooperation in East Asia.

Li said he is looking forward to consolidate political trust during his visit to Myanmar next week and promoting China-Myanmar cooperation, especially in the establishment of a corridor connecting Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar, improving connectivity and increasing cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Li will pay an official visit at the invitation of Thein Sein after attending leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation from Nov 12 to 14 in Myanmar's capital, Nay Pyi Taw. Events will include the 17th China-ASEAN leaders' meeting, 17th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea leaders' meeting and the ninth East Asia Summit.