China ready to play part in bringing stability to the troubled border area

China is ready to play a role in boosting peace talks on the troubled situation in northern Myanmar at Myanmar's request, visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

The north of the country has been in turmoil in recent years, with Chinese citizens killed and injured in bombings along the border.

Wang outlined Beijing's stance to the Southeast Asian nation's newly elected President U Htin Kyaw.

China is also willing to increase links on the development strategies of both countries and "reinforce cooperation in fields such as livelihood, production capacity and infrastructure facilities", Wang said at a meeting in Naypyitaw, Myanmar's capital.

The Myanmar leader said the suggestions proposed by Wang for two-way cooperation show that China is sincere in further developing bilateral ties. With his country facing a mounting task of improving the economy and livelihoods, the president said the new government is willing to promote friendship, deepen cooperation in various fields, and is ready to safeguard peace and stability in the border area.

Wang was making an official visit to Myanmar - the first foreign minister to visit the country after the new government took office.

In March, President Xi Jinping sent a message to U Htin Kyaw to congratulate him on his election as president. Wang conveyed Xi's greetings to the president on Wednesday, and U Htin Kyaw asked Wang to convey his greetings to Xi.

Wang reached out to influential political figures in Myanmar and reassured them of Beijing's unchanged commitment to good relations with its neighbor.

Zhong Feiteng, an expert on Asia-Pacific affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Wang's schedule shows that China is approaching all the major players in Myanmar, and he has "sent a clear signal that China supports the new political landscape and expects great stability in the country".

Wang's call for peace in the border area shows that China wants the new government to further tackle the complicated situation there, Zhong said.

At a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Wang said the army is an important force in Myanmar's development and stability.

"China supports achieving peace in northern Myanmar through peaceful negotiation, and is ready to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border area along with Myanmar," Wang said.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/07/2016 page3)