China on Thursday highly appraised the UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's mediation efforts in Myanmar and welcomed the Myanmar government's cooperation with him.

Gambari, special adviser of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who just ended a four-day mission to Myanmar, deeply exchanged views with Myanmar leaders on domestic situation and made widespread contacts with local people, which is a helpful step, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

"China has made its efforts to support the mediation efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Special Envoy. We feel gratified for the results achieved by Gambari's visit," Liu said.

Gambari came amid widespread mass demonstrations by Buddhist monks and people in several parts of Myanmar since Sept. 18 to look into the situation of the country and play the UN part in seeking for Myanmar's national reconciliation.

"We took notice that the situation in Myanmar has been calm recently, due to joint efforts by relevant parties in Myanmar and the international community," Liu said.

China hopes the Myanmar situation could develop in a positive direction, which accords with the common aspiration and interests of Myanmar people and nations in the region, the spokesman said.

Liu also called on relevant parties in Myanmar to exercise restraint and restore, through peaceful mean, stability at an early date by promoting domestic reconciliation, improving people's welfare and realizing democracy and development.

"Chinese government will continuously work together with the international community to play an active and constructive role for the alleviation of the Myanmar situation," Liu said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 4, 2007)