High-level meeting with Suu Kyi
Source: Agencies |
December 16, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S ambassador to Myanmar held a rare meeting with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week, an official said yesterday.
It was the highest level of contact in two decades between China and Myanmar's opposition.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Li Junhua's meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was in response to a request from her.
"Madame Aung San Suu Kyi has proposed a number of times her desire for contact with the Chinese side, and the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar's meeting was in answer to this," he said.
Liu said the ambassador "listened to Aung San Suu Kyi's ideas."
Suu Kyi's chief of staff, Khun Tha Myint, said that the meeting was on December 8 at Suu Kyi's residence and lasted just over an hour.
"The meeting went very well," he said. "It was very cordial and friendly."
Suu Kyi has tried to reassure China that she does not consider Beijing an enemy, making remarks to that effect almost immediately upon her release from house arrest last year.
"I am glad that both China and Suu Kyi realize the importance of good ties between Myanmar and China," a retired senior Myanmar diplomat said. "Having good ties between Myanmar and China is very important not only for Myanmar and China but also for the stability and prosperity of the entire region."
China's former ambassador Cheng Ruisheng, who served in Myanmar from 1987 to 1991, met Suu Kyi twice and had previously been the most senior Chinese official to have contact with her.
Liu also said that China's top diplomat, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, would travel to Myanmar for a summit next week of Mekong River countries.
Liu did not say exactly when Dai would go to Myanmar nor if he would have any bilateral meetings with government leaders while there.
"China has always strived to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership with Myanmar and supports the Myanmar government's efforts to advance economic and social development and promote domestic reconciliation," he said.
It was the highest level of contact in two decades between China and Myanmar's opposition.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Li Junhua's meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was in response to a request from her.
"Madame Aung San Suu Kyi has proposed a number of times her desire for contact with the Chinese side, and the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar's meeting was in answer to this," he said.
Liu said the ambassador "listened to Aung San Suu Kyi's ideas."
Suu Kyi's chief of staff, Khun Tha Myint, said that the meeting was on December 8 at Suu Kyi's residence and lasted just over an hour.
"The meeting went very well," he said. "It was very cordial and friendly."
Suu Kyi has tried to reassure China that she does not consider Beijing an enemy, making remarks to that effect almost immediately upon her release from house arrest last year.
"I am glad that both China and Suu Kyi realize the importance of good ties between Myanmar and China," a retired senior Myanmar diplomat said. "Having good ties between Myanmar and China is very important not only for Myanmar and China but also for the stability and prosperity of the entire region."
China's former ambassador Cheng Ruisheng, who served in Myanmar from 1987 to 1991, met Suu Kyi twice and had previously been the most senior Chinese official to have contact with her.
Liu also said that China's top diplomat, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, would travel to Myanmar for a summit next week of Mekong River countries.
Liu did not say exactly when Dai would go to Myanmar nor if he would have any bilateral meetings with government leaders while there.
"China has always strived to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership with Myanmar and supports the Myanmar government's efforts to advance economic and social development and promote domestic reconciliation," he said.
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