News / China

China’s war ships in Myanmar for joint drills

Saturday, 20 May 2017 4:07 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 20 May 2017 4:07 AM ]

The photo released by the Xinhua news agency shows a Chinese naval vessel at Thilawa Port in Yangon, Myanmar, May 23, 2014.

Chinese navy ships are visiting Myanmar and will conduct communications, search and rescue, and other joint exercises with the Myanmar navy, China’s defense ministry said on Saturday.

The ships arrived in Yangon on Thursday for a four-day visit, spokesman Wu Qian said in remarks posted on the ministry’s website.

Wu said China was willing to strengthen strategic communication and deepen cooperation with Myanmar, while making joint efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability and promote bilateral ties.

The ship visit started the day China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed to a framework for a long-mooted code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Myanmar’s State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi at a meeting in Beijing on May 15, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

It comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping met Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi - who serves as Myanmar’s foreign minister while also being de facto head of its civilian government - in Beijing earlier this week following China’s Belt and Road Forum.

China had a close relationship with Myanmar’s former military-run government, and has carefully watched the democratization process in its strategically located southern neighbor.

(Source: Reuters)

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk