On February 14, 2006, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks with Prime Minister of Myanmar Soe Win in the Great Hall of the People and both sides indicated that they will make joint efforts to elevate bilateral relations of good-neighborly friendship to one new level after other.

Wen noted that both countries are friendly neighbors, and since the establishment of diplomatic ties 55 years ago both sides have actively developed state-to-state relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, conducted a range of effective cooperation of mutual benefits and brought benefits to both countries and their people. The Chinese government has always attached great importance to developing bilateral relations and hopes to continuously consolidate their traditional friendship, strengthen the friendly cooperation in various areas and realize common development.

Soe Win said that the government and people of Myanmar thank for China's resolute support and disinterested assistance for a long period of time and deem China a sincere friend. The government of Myanmar will as always pursue its friendly policy towards China, adhere to the one-China principle and work along with China to further promote the traditional "paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship between the two peoples, deepen friendly cooperation and push for steady development of bilateral relations.

Wen said that both economies are complementary to each other and enjoy broad prospect for cooperation. China would like to jointly advance bilateral cooperation in the economic and trade area with Myanmar in the spirit of equality and mutual benefits. To this end, the Chinese side put forward suggestions in the following four aspects. First, to make full use of preferential tariff treatment offered by China and expand bilateral trade scale. Second, to implement key cooperative programs defined by both sides so that the cooperation in the areas of energy & resources exploitation and infrastructure construction will score achievements at the earliest date possible. Third, to keep closer mutual coordination in ASEAN Plus China (10+1), ASEAN Plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3), Greater Mekong Sub-region and other multilateral cooperation frameworks, and push for regional economic cooperation in a bid to spur on economic and social development of the respective countries. Fourth, to encourage more businesses of the two countries to directly engage with each other and strengthen personnel training and technological exchanges.

With regard to the issue of narcotics control, Wen pointed out that currently the spread of narcotics in the boundary area between both sides has severely damaged the local society, as well as people's life and health and it must be attached great importance to and controlled through severe measures. China hopes to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Myanmar in narcotics control and sign the agreement on narcotics control cooperation at an early date.

When talking about the treatment of overseas Chinese in Myanmar, Wen said that the Chinese government has always encouraged overseas Chinese to observe the local law, mix with the people of the country where they live and actively participate in local social and economic development. It is hoped that Myanmar will show care for overseas Chinese in Myanmar, adopt a more loose policy, attach great importance to their demand and provide more facilitation for their work, life and education.

Soe Win said that he fully agreed with the above suggestions proposed by the Chinese side. Myanmar gives top priority to bilateral cooperation in the economic and trade area and will seriously implement various cooperative agreements between both sides so that they will play an important role for Myanmar's economic and social development, as well as the improvement of people's livelihood. Myanmar hopes to expand exchanges and cooperation with China in the areas of boundary trade, science & technology, infrastructure construction, energy resources exploitation and training of talented people and welcomes Chinese businesses to invest in Myanmar.

Soe Win indicated that Myanmar would like to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in narcotics control and will properly handle related issues of China's concern.

Soe Win introduced the domestic situations of Myanmar. Wen emphasized that Myanmar's internal affairs should be resolved independently by its government and people through consultations. China, as a neighbor, sincerely hopes that Myanmar will continue to advance the process of national reconciliation and realize economic development and social progress.

Following the talks, the two Premiers jointly attended the signing ceremony of such documents as the agreement on economic and technological cooperation and the flight agreement between the two governments.

Prior to the beginning of the talks, Premier Wen held a welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Soe Win's visit to China. Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Guobao, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Guan Mu and other officials attended the welcome ceremony.