BEIJING - Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Thursday urged related countries to lift sanctions on Myanmar.

Hong made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on the United States' move to lift an import ban on Myanmar on Thursday.

"We have always been calling on related countries to remove their sanctions over Myanmar, which will benefit its development," Hong said.

While meeting with President of Myanmar U Thein Sein in New York on Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Washington will ease a ban on imports from Myanmar.