NAY PYI TAW (Xinhua) - China's Xinhua News Agency reported that former Senior General U Than Shwe and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang held a meeting.

The news reported that the meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw on May 2, and the situation of China-Myanmar relations was discussed.

During the meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang expressed his appreciation for U Than Shwe's major contributions to the development of China-Myanmar relations. Viewing the development of China-Myanmar relations from a strategic height, China has always been a good neighbor, good friend and good partner of Myanmar, and has always supported the Southeast Asian country in maintaining stability and promoting development.

Furthermore, China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, supports Myanmar in advancing its domestic peace process, and stands ready to continue providing assistance to Myanmar in safeguarding independence, maintaining political stability and realizing sustainable development. The Chinese side is willing to work with Myanmar to build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, said the Chinese foreign minister.

Former Senior General and former chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) U Than Shwe, said that Myanmar-China Paukphaw friendship was built by the previous leaders of the two countries, and the leaders of the two countries throughout the ages pushed for it, and it is firmly established in the hearts of the people of the two countries.

It said U Than Shwe appreciated China's good-neighborly friendship with Myanmar and its strong support for Myanmar's socio-economic development. He expressed hope that the two neighbors could carry forward the "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship, strengthen friendly cooperation and push for more fruitful bilateral ties.

The meeting was reported, but the record photo was not published.