NAY PYI TAW -- Myanmar President U Thein Sein met with visiting Chinese state councilor Yang Jiechi in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Monday.

Noting that China and Myanmar are traditionally friendly neighbors, Yang stressed that the two countries should firmly grasp the correct direction of their bilateral ties from a strategic and long term point of view and properly implement the important consensus reached between the heads of state of the two countries, continuously expand the common interest and deepen the China-Myanmar Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership.

Yang called for maintenance of reciprocal visits at high level and boost strategic link, deepening practical cooperation, ensuring smooth implementation of major cooperation projects to realize mutually beneficial win-win status to benefit local people.

He also called for personal and cultural exchange to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

He emphasized strengthening of coordination and consonance in regional cooperation, saying that next year, Myanmar will be alternate chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China would like to push along with Myanmar the development of China-ASEAN ties.

Yang stressed that China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity and support it to pursue a path of development that conforms to its status, hoping and supporting Myanmar's social stability, economic development and livelihood improvement.

Speaking of Myanmar's national reconciliation process, Yang hoped the government and the Kachin side could maintain the trend of peace talks and reach ceasefire agreement as early as possible to realize eternal peace and stability in the north and China- Myanmar border areas. In this regard, China would continue to play a construction role, he added.

U Thein Sein said Myanmar and China are friendly neighbors and good friends. He expressed thanks for the valuable support and assistance long rendered by the Chinese side. He recalled that Myanmar always supported China whenever major issue that linked with China's core interest arose.

In the course of Myanmar's reform and development, U Thein Sein hoped that by applying China's experience of success, Myanmar wishes to jointly implement well the Action Plan of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership and strengthen neighborly and friendly cooperation.

Extending invitation to Chinese leader for early visit to Myanmar, U Thein Sein thanked China's assistance for its economic development and livelihood improvement.

He voiced Myanmar's welcome of investment from China, promising to create good investment environment and ensure the smooth launching of the two countries' cooperation projects.

Touching on Myanmar's efforts in seeking domestic peace and stability, U Thein Sein said it would continue to push the peace process to realize peace in the north and ensure tranquility in the border areas between the two countries.

During his visit, Yang also had talks with Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun and met Speaker of the House of Representatives U Shwe Mann.

He kept in touch extensively with Myanmar's parliament and personnel from political parties and different walks of life, exchanging views with them on developing the two countries' relations.

The two sides also signed the Action Plan of China-Myanmar Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership.

Yang arrived in the Myanmar capital on Sunday for a two-day visit at the invitation of the government of Myanmar.