Jiang's visit boost to Yangon

Jiang's visit boost to Yangon

Associated Press, Yangon

China and Myanmar signed six pacts on economy and border
security on Wednesday at the start of Chinese President Jiang
Zemin's landmark visit, seen as a major boost to the military
state's ruling junta.

Myanmar's top three generals including leader Gen. Than Shwe
and hundreds of flag-waving children greeted Jiang and his more
than 100-strong entourage at Yangon airport. He disembarked a
special Air China flight from Beijing to a 21-gun salute.

Jiang and Than Shwe later held talks at the Parliament
building in Yangon, officials said. Details were not disclosed.

Following the talks, representatives of the two countries
signed six bilateral agreements including economic and technical
cooperation, promotion and protection of investments, cooperation
in security at border areas and cooperation in fisheries and
environment, officials said.

Myanmar considers China as one of its closest allies, having
depended on it heavily for trade, credit and weapons over the
past decade.

According to Chinese statistics, bilateral trade totals US$600
million annually, making China Myanmar's third largest trading
partner after Singapore and Thailand - though that official
figure probably underestimates trade that goes unreported.

Jiang's visit signals China's intent to reassert its economic
and strategic interests in Myanmar. Impoverished Myanmar offers
China a potential path to the Indian Ocean, and could serve as a
landbridge for trade between South and Southeast Asia.