On January 10, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for Chinese and foreign media. Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui briefed the media on President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Myanmar, and answered questions from the journalists.

Luo Zhaohui said, at the invitation of President U Win Myint, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Myanmar from January 17 to 18. This is President Xi Jinping's first overseas trip this year, and the first visit to Myanmar by a Chinese president in 19 years. The visit is of great and special significance in building on the past and opening up the future for the development of China-Myanmar relations as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Myanmar is a friendly neighbor of China. At present, the two countries have enjoyed a high degree of political mutual trust, in-depth economic cooperation, close coordination in international and regional issues, the even firmer "Paukphaw" friendship brimming with new vitality, and non-governmental exchanges running at a high level. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations 70 years ago, China-Myanmar relations have enjoyed constant development on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual assistance, and have set an example of harmonious co-existence and win-win cooperation between big and small countries. The Chinese side adheres to non-interference in Myanmar's internal affairs and supports Myanmar in safeguarding national dignity and legitimate rights and interests. On issues related to peace and reconciliation in Myanmar, the Chinese side encourages and promotes peace talks, and plays a constructive role. The Myanmar side has always firmly supported the Chinese side on issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. Myanmar has actively responded to and participated in the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and cooperation on large-scale projects have driven employment and economic development along the route in Myanmar, and greatly improved the living standards of local people. China and Myanmar practice the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, adhere to basic norms governing international relations, support multilateralism, safeguard free trade and contribute to promoting the building of a new type of just and equitable international relations. The two sides support each other in the United Nations, East Asia cooperation and other occasions, and maintain close coordination in establishing the free trade area between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and other aspects.

Luo Zhaohui said, during his visit, President Xi Jinping will attend a series of state events to be held by President U Win Myint, hold talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and attend an exchange ceremony of bilateral cooperation documents and a small-scale banquet to be held by Aung San Suu Kyi. President Xi Jinping will meet with Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar, have communications with leaders of Myanmar's parliament and political parties, and jointly attend activities including the celebration for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and launching ceremony of the China-Myanmar culture and tourism year with main leaders of Myanmar. Both sides will also issue a joint statement.

Luo Zhaohui expressed, during this visit to Myanmar, President Xi Jinping will, together with the Myanmar side's leaders, renew our "Paukphaw" friendship which has lasted for thousands of years, write a new chapter of bilateral cooperation, elevate political relations, deepen connectivity cooperation, promote the building of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and elevate China-Myanmar relations to higher levels. First, both sides will summarize the experience of bilateral exchanges in the past, plan the development blueprint in the future, further enrich the connotation of bilateral relations, build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, and open up a new era of China-Myanmar relations. Second, both countries will deepen the cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality, translate the vision and planning of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor into substantive construction, realize three-end support of the Corridor and achieve positive progress in major connectivity projects, so as to benefit the two countries and peoples. Third, we will, through hosting culture and tourism year activities, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and consolidate the public opinion foundation for bilateral friendship. It is believed that with our joint efforts, President Xi Jinping's visit of milestone significance at the beginning of the new year will be completely successful, and leave an indelible mark in the history of China-Myanmar friendly exchanges.