YANGON — Premier Li Keqiang’s upcoming official visit to Myanmar will further promote China-Myanmar friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership, Ambassador to Myanmar Yang Houlan told a press meeting in Yangon on Nov 8.

At the invitation of Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Premier Li Keqiang is to pay a state visit to Myanmar from Nov 12-14, the first to the country after he took office in his capacity in 2012. He will also attend a series of leaders’ meetings in Myanmar on East Asia Cooperation.

Leaders of the two countries will discuss ways to enhance China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic partnership and strengthen the pragmatic cooperation on the foundation of equality and mutual benefit, push forward the new achievements acquired from their cooperation, promote communication and cooperation in the fields of culture, youth, education and news, and exchange views on other issues of common concern, he said.

Both sides will sign a series of cooperation agreements, he added.

According to Ambassador Yang, trade between China and Myanmar amounted to $10.15 billion in 2013. In the first nine months of 2014, bilateral trade value reached $17.75 billion, increasing by 185.1 percent compared with the same period in 2013.

China stands as the largest trade partner and import market, and the second largest export market of Myanmar, with 30 percent of Myanmar’s foreign trade being China-Myanmar trade last year.

According to Myanmar official statistics, by the end of 2013, Chinese mainland companies’ accumulative negotiated investment stood at $14.37 billion, accounting for 32.5 percent of Myanmar’s total foreign investment.

China and Myanmar, which are friendly neighbors, established diplomatic relations in 1950, and in 2011, the two countries established comprehensive strategic partnership.