State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed efforts to enhance the friendship between China and Myanmar, maintain border stability, and promote the prosperous development in border areas, during his inspection in Southwest China’s Yunnan province from Feb 16 to 18.

Wang visited border facilities, Ruili Port and the China-Myanmar crude oil and gas pipeline, and chaired a symposium to hear opinions and suggestions on border issues.

He said the border area is an important friendship bond between China and Myanmar, which directly affects the security and stability of China’s southwestern borders, and the bilateral cooperation on Belt and Road construction.

Wang urged local departments to strengthen coordination with the Myanmar side to jointly maintain the border stability. Efforts should also be made to safeguard order on the border and ensure Chinese people’s lives and property security.

He also asked related departments to offer support and assistance to Myanmar’s domestic peace process, push forward the construction of China-Myanmar economic corridor and border economic cooperation zone, and conduct closer cooperation to facilitate people-to-people exchanges in the border area and serve the economic and social development of both countries.