In the theater of the convention center hangs a giant banner of “Inherit China-Myanmar ‘Pank-Phaw’ Friendship And Build China-Myanmar Community With A Shared Future” in Chinese and Burmese with a warm festive atmosphere.

Xi Jinping walked into the theater accompanied by Myanmar’s leaders amid warm applause.

U Win Myint and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivered speeches respectively. 

U Win Myint expressed that Myanmar and China share a long history of friendly exchanges, and the two peoples have been bound together like brothers and sisters. Myanmar and China have witnessed a momentous journey since the two countries established diplomatic relations 70 years ago and leaders of the two countries have carried out close friendly exchanges, and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence championed by both countries have become a basic norm in international relations. The state visit by President Xi on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and his attendance with Myanmar leaders of the ceremony not only demonstrate the profound friendship between the two countries and peoples, but also make this year a new milestone in Myanmar-China relations. The Myanmar side will continue to deepen friendly cooperation in various fields with China. Long live the friendship between Myanmar and China. 

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that it is a auspicious moment for the leaders of the two sides to attend the launch ceremony of Celebrations for 70th Anniversary of China-Myanmar Diplomatic Relations & China-Myanmar Year of Culture and Tourism. No matter how Myanmar’s domestic situation changes, all its governments attach great importance to developing friendly relations with China. Xi’s state visit to Myanmar at the beginning of the year is an important step in the two countries’ efforts in building a community with a shared future. Myanmar actively supports and takes part in the Belt and Road Initiative and is looking forward to more fruitful results in building the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor. Meanwhile, Myanmar looks forward to ever more deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges with China to cement the public support for their friendly ties. It is firmly believed that under Xi’s leadership, China will eventually achieve its two centenary goals and accomplish the great cause of national rejuvenation, and China’s development will deliver more opportunities to Myanmar and the world. Myanmar stands ready to make joint efforts with China and the rest of the world in building a community with a shared future for mankind and contribute to promoting world peace and development.

Xi noted in his speech that he is truly delighted to join in witnessing the launch of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of China-Myanmar diplomatic relations and for the China-Myanmar Year of Culture and Tourism. This is an important landmark in the long history of our friendly exchanges, one that will be celebrated with great festivity by our two peoples. China and Myanmar are neighbors connected by shared mountains and rivers, and our people have enjoyed friendly ties for thousands of years. Both Chinese and Myanmar cultures cherish the belief in a "shared bond". Our two countries are geographically linked, our peoples are connected by kinship and our cultures enjoy a natural affinity. Our millennia-old, time-tested “pauk-phaw” friendship is as strong as ever; it is the driving force and source of strength behind China-Myanmar relations. By celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties, the two sides may increase mutual learning as civilizations, expand people-to-people exchanges, and deliver solid results and real benefits to our peoples. This will engage more people in China and Myanmar who will become stakeholders, beneficiaries and supporters of China-Myanmar friendship, thus cementing public support for our friendly ties.

Xi stressed that we need to build on past achievements, stay true to our shared ideals and blaze a new trail together in order to advance China-Myanmar relations in the new era. President U Win Myint and I have agreed that my visit shall mark the start of our joint endeavor to build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future. This important political consensus speaks volumes about the special bond between China and Myanmar, a bond as close as between lips and teeth. It gives vivid expression to the fraternal friendship between our peoples who have supported each other through thick and thin, and draws up a new and overarching blueprint for future growth of bilateral ties. Guided by the shared vision of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future and by the fundamental interests of our peoples, we must pursue stronger political trust, broader practical cooperation and closer cultural exchanges, so that the two peoples will forever be good neighbors, good friends, good pauk-phaw and good partners.

Xi said that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence upheld by China and Myanmar have made a major contribution to the history of international relations. The world today is undergoing deep changes not seen in a century. Countries are closely linked and are increasingly becoming a community with a shared future. Yet, the lack of equality and justice is still prominent in international relations. To safeguard world peace and promote common development remains a challenging goal. Under new circumstances, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are more relevant than ever before. China and Myanmar, working together, can set an example for advocating and applying the Five Principles and be role models in the handling of state-to-state relations. Together, we can encourage all to join the efforts for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Xi emphasized that “deep are the feelings of pauk-phaw, just as long is the flow of our rivers.” I am convinced that with joint efforts, the tide of China-Myanmar friendship and cooperation for common development will surge forward, like the Lancang and the Irrawaddy, coming from the same origin and rushing past mountains and shoals, in unstoppable flows.

After the speeches, President Xi Jinping and President U Win Myint jointly pushed the button to officially kick off the China-Myanmar Year of Culture and Tourism. 

Besides, the leaders of two sides also watched the stunning performances staged by Chinese and Myanmar’s artists. The Myanmar’s artists in traditional ethnic clothes spelled out the English words, “Myanmar” and “China”, with traditional Pathein umbrellas. Meanwhile, the number of “70” came into blossom suddenly like beautiful flowers to convey best wishes to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar, receiving warm applause from the audience. 

Prior to the launch ceremony, President Xi Jinping viewed a photo exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of China-Myanmar diplomatic relations in the company of Myanmar leaders. The photos have depicted a string of touching scenes of exchange ever since they established diplomatic relations 70 years ago. Xi stopped to listen to the introduction intently from time to time. 

In the evening, President Xi had a friendly talk with Myanmar Speaker of the Union Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives U T Khun Myat and Speaker of Amyotha Hluttaw U Mahn Win Khaing Than, and posed for a group photo with leaders of Myanmar’s political parties.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng attended the above-mentioned events.