(Source: aseansec.org)

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Bilateral Relations
( Last Update: 2003/10/23)

    I. Political Relations

    China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors, and the people of the two countries have enjoyed traditional long-standing friendship. Ever since the ancient times, they have affectionately called each other Paukphaw (meaning brothers). On June 8, 1950, the two countries established diplomatic relations. During 1950s, China and Myanmar jointly created the 5 principles of peaceful co-existence, and during 1960s, in the spirit of friendly consultation as well as mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, they successfully resolved the border problem left behind by history, thus setting a good example for resolving border problems between states. Over the years, the two countries have persisted in neighborliness and friendship, and main bilateral relations have witnessed steady development.

    Leaders of China and Myanmar have kept the tradition of exchanging visits. Chinese leaders of the older generation like President Liu Shaoqi, Premier Zhou Enlai and Vice-Premier Chen Yi all visited Myanmar. Burmese Chairman, President and Premier visits to China are on everybody's lips both in China and Myanmar. Over the recent years, exchange of high-level visits has kept its momentum between the two countries. Premier Li Peng, Chairman of the CPPCC Li Ruixuan and Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo visited have Myanmar respectively. Burmese Chairman Saw Maung, Chairman Than Shwe, Vice-Chairman Maung Aye and First Secretary Khin Nyunt visited China one after another. In 2000, Vice-President Hu Jintao and Burmese Vice-Chairman Maung Aye cooperation was issued by both sides.

    Between December 12 and 15, 2001, President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Myanmar, and it is the first visit to Myanmar by the top Chinese leader. During this visit, 7 documents on bilateral cooperation were signed between both sides including Sino-Burmese Agreement on Fishery Cooperation, and Sino-Burmese Agreement on Investment Protection, and agricultural, natural cum human resources development as well as infrastructural construction were identified as the key areas for bilateral cooperation in the years ahead. Therefore, Sino-Burmese relations advanced to a new stage.

    In January 2003, Burmese Chairman Than Shwe visited China again at the invitation of President Jiang Zemin. In the same month, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing was invited to visit Myanmar, exchanged in-depth views with Burmese leaders further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the economic, trade, scientific, technological, educational, cultural, health and sport areas and reached broad consensus. The two countries signed Inter-Governmental Agreement on China's Remittal of part of Myanmar's Overdue Debt.

    II. Economic and Trade Relations

    Over the recent years, economic and trade cooperation between China and Myanmar has developed soundly, whose areas expanded from pure trade and economic aid to project-contracting, investment and multilateral cooperation. The agreement on investment promotion and protection has been signed between the two countries and the working committee on Economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation set up.

    In 2002, according to the statistics from China General Administration of Custom, Sino-Burmese trade volume reached US$ 0.862 billion, up 36% from 2001. By the statistics from the Burmese side, China has become Myanmar's 3rd largest trading partner next to Singapore and Thailand. China's major exports to Myanmar are complete sets of equipment and machinery and electrical products, textiles, as well as new and high-tech products. Its main imports from Myanmar are timber, precious stones and saw lumber.

    By October 2002, Chinese companies had contracted 800 projects in Myanmar with the contractual value exceeding US$ 2.1 billion. Labor contracts signed by the Chinese enterprises in Myanmar exceeded US$ 60 million. Up to the third quarter of 2002, there had been 37 Chinese companies in Myanmar, which invested 36 projects with their agreement investment amounting to some US$ 0.17 billion.

    III. Exchanges and Cooperation in Other Areas

    There has been good cooperation between the foreign ministries of China and Myanmar. In 1992, mechanism for diplomatic consultations was set up. In 1998, the Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Visas for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders between the Chinese and Burmese Governments was signed. In 1993, the agreement on restoring China's and Myanmar's consulates-general in the other country was reached, and the latter's consulate-general in Kunming and former consulate-general in Mandalay were reopened respectively in September 1993, and August 1994. The two countries signed the Agreement on Management and Cooperation in Sino-Burmese Border Areas in March 1997, and launched cooperation in drug-prohibition in the border areas.

    China and Myanmar have developed extensive exchanges and cooperation in the cultural, scientific, technological, health, sport and tourist areas, and signed relevant documents for cooperation. Burmese Government and people of all walks of life.

    Appendix: Important Document

    Joint Statement Concerning Framework Document on Future Cooperation in Bilateral Relations between the People's Republic of China and Federation on Myanmar.

    On June 6, 2000, on behalf of his respective government, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxaun and Burmese Foreign Minister U Win Aung signed the Joint Statement Concerning Framework Document on Future Cooperation in Bilateral Relations between the People's Republic of China and Federation of Myanmar. Following is the full text:

    Joint Statement Concerning Framework Document on Future

    Cooperation in Bilateral Relations between the People's Republic of China and Federation of Myanmar

    Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and Federation of Myanmar (short for "both sides there after) in June 8, 1950, cooperation in the political, economic, military, cultural, educational and other fields has seen continuous development on the basis of the 5 principles of peaceful coexistence initialed jointly by both sides. Further consolidating and developing Sino-Burmese friendly relation is not only in the basic interests of the two countries and their people, but conducive to peace, stability and development in this region.

    At the start of the new century, it was unanimously agreed by both sides that stable and long-standing neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between the two countries should be further developed so that "Paukghaw" friendship between the Chinese and Burmese people would go on from generation to generation. For this, both sides made the following declaration on the framework and guiding principles for the future cooperation in the bilateral relations:

    1. Both sides agree that the basic norms guiding Sino-Burmese relations are the aim and principles of UN Charter, 5 principles of peaceful coexistence, principles stipulated in Southeast Asian Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and universally acknowledged principles of international law.

    2. Both sides will maintain frequent contacts and exchanges of visits between the top leaders of the two countries, actively carry out exchanges of visits and contacts between various government departments, non-governmental bodies and people from different walks of life, so as to strengthen understanding and friendship and promote further development of bilateral cooperation.

    3. Both sides agree to maintain multi-tiered consultations and contacts between the foreign ministries of the two countries, exchange views in time on the bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern and make use of various occasions to keep frequent exchange of ideas and coordination.

    4. Both sides agree to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, fishery, forestry and tourism on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, priority to actual results and taking advantage of the other's strength.

    1) Bring into full play the role of Sino-Burmese Joint Committee on Economic, Trade and Technological Cooperation and actively explore new ideas and channels that will help develop economic and trade cooperation mutually beneficial to both sides. Functional departments concerned from both sides should further strengthen guidance and to coordination over economic and trade cooperation, continue perfecting rules and regulations concerned, standardize enterprise behavior and create favorable conditions and provide necessary facilities for the economic and trade activities of companies, enterprises and organizations from both sides so as to protect their legitimate rights and create a sound environment for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. When conditions are ripe, both sides will discuss and sign an agreement on investment protection.

    2) Strive to expand the bilateral trade. The potential should be fully tapped so as to increase commodity trade. Cooperation in border trade should be further strengthened and standardized in accordance with Memorandum of Understanding in Border Trade between the Governments of the People's Republic of China and Federation of Myanmar. Sustainable, steady and healthy development of bilateral trade should be promoted in the spirit of exchanging needed goods and mutual benefit and reciprocity.

    3) Encourage and support its respective enterprises to engage in two-way investment and make them earnestly undertake the obligations stipulated in the bilateral investment agreements so as to ensure the smooth implementation of joint venture projects.

    4) Create in an active manner favorable conditions for the enterprises from both sides to launch engineering projects and labor cooperation.

    5) Actively promote agricultural and fishery cooperation between the two countries. Make good use of its respective rich natural resources and complementary edge, support and encourage mutually beneficial cooperation in agricultural technology, produce-processing, prevention and monitoring of animal disease, sea-fishing and marine culture between the enterprises and departments concerned of the two countries.

    6) Strengthen forestry cooperation between the two countries, and encourage bilateral cooperation in prevention of forest fire in border areas, forest management, resource development, wildlife protection, development of forest industry, timber-processing, forestry machinery, ecological tourism, forestry education and training.

    7) Further expand tourism cooperation between the two countries. China has agreed to make Myanmar a country of destination for Chinese citizens to go on overseas tours. Both sides will decide through consultation detailed ways for implementation.

    5. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the cultural, educational, health, sport and religious areas between the two countries. Further promote understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries by exchanging visits of delegations and art troupes, experts as well as holding exhibitions in the other country.

    6. Both sides agree to work out at the earliest possible time detailed steps for implementation, based on Agreement on Management of and Cooperation in Sino-Burmese Border so as to jointly promote stability, tranquility and development in their border areas.

    7. Strengthen legal cooperation and exchange of information. Work together to fight cross-border crimes, drug-trafficking, smuggling, illegal border-crossing and other criminal activities.

    8. The Chinese side reiterates that it respects Myanmar's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Burmese side reiterates that it will continue to pursue its one China policy and recognize the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China, and Taiwan as inseparable part of China's territory. The Chinese side appreciates Myanmar's position on refraining from developing in any form official links with the Taiwan authorities.

    9. Both sides hold that the 4-party economic cooperation (China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand) and Mekong River's sub-regional economic cooperation (China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) are in the common and long-term interests of the two countries and other countries concerned in this region, and will give them greater support.

    10. Both sides will strengthen cooperation in such multilateral bodies as the UN, ASEAN, ARF and the Informal Meeting of East Asian Leaders and work hard to promote peace and development in this region and the world at large.

    This statement is signed on June 6, in Beijing.

    Representative of the People's Republic of China Representative of the Federation of Myanmar

    Tang Jiaxuan Foreign Minister        U Win Aung Foreign Minister

(Source: fmprc.gov.cn)