BEIJING — China and Myanmar on Dec 18 held their fourth round of diplomacy and defense consultations in Kunming, capital of Southwest China’s Yunnan province, exchanging views on the situation in northern Myanmar.

The two sides agreed that the situation in northern Myanmar is closely related to regional peace and people’s welfare of the two countries’ border. All parties in northern Myanmar should maintain restraint and achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible to avoid damaging the stability of the border region, according to a Foreign Ministry news briefing.

The two sides are ready to take necessary measures to jointly control the situation in northern Myanmar, strengthen cooperation on border stability and management, safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of people at the border region, and ensure the function of key ports and the smooth implementation of major cooperation projects.

China welcomes and supports the recent positive progress of Myanmar’s peace process, supports Myanmar to hold a new round of the 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference, and is willing to make joint efforts to push forward the building of the China-Myanmar economic corridor to promote the development of northern Myanmar and border areas, according to the news briefing.

Myanmar appreciated China’s help in the peace process and expects China to continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks in Myanmar.