President Xi Jinping on January 17 arrived in Nay Pyi Taw  on the first ever visit of Chinese President to Myanmar in 19 years, met President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi separately, and discussed cooperation in Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and Myanmar-China Economic Corridor.

The Chinese President arrived on an official visit in Nay Pyi Taw in the afternoon at the invitation of President Win Myint.

At 4.30 pm, President Win Myint and Union Ministers accorded a guard-of-honour welcome to the Chinese President on the lawns of the Presidential Palace.

During the meeting between the two Presidents, discussion was focused on mutual respect and understanding to strengthen the relations in accord with the five principles of peaceful coexistence, all-round strategic cooperation and efforts to reach a community that handles hardships together, commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries in a festive and beneficial way, increased cooperation between the peoples of both countries for socio-economic benefits, peace, stability and development along shared borders, further increasing trade and Myanmar's export, mutually beneficial cooperation in the BRI project and Myanmar-China Economic Corridor and trust and support of local residents when implementing those projects, the President Office reported.

Next, the Chinese President met the State Counsellor at the Credentials Hall of the President Palace, the State Counsellor Office reported.  

Both sides discussed promotion of bilateral relations, close cooperation in multi-sector development, strengthening of Paukphaw relations, creation of a community living through thick and thin and collaboration in the BRI.

In the evening, President Win Myint hosted a state banquet in honour of the visiting Chinese President at the Presidential Palace.

At the dinner, President Win Myint expressed thanks to China for its support in achieving success in Myanmar's peace process and development efforts.  

The Chinese President said taking advantage of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, efforts must be made for deepening the relations and mutual cooperation.

A ceremony took place to mark the 70th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Myanmar and China at Myanmar International Convention Centre-II at 6 pm.

President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered their speeches on the occasion.

On January 18 (today), the State Counsellor and the Chinese President will hold bilateral meetings and sign memorandums of understanding.

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, President Liu Shaoqi visited Myanmar in 1966, Presidnet Li Xiannian in 1985 and Jiang Zemin in 2001. 

Xi Jinping is the fourth Chinese President to visit to Myanmar.