During his talks with visiting Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar Than Shwe in the Great Hall of the People this afternoon, Jiang said the two countries should further strengthen economic cooperation, adding that China would support Chinese enterprises conducting cooperative ventures in Myanmar.

He expressed the wish that Myanmar keep improving its investment environment so as to facilitate Chinese investment and cooperation.

He said the two countries should expand cooperation in such fields as science, technology, culture, education, sports, public health and tourism.

He said the two sides should continue to coordinate and cooperate on regional and international issues and within the framework of multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Than Shwe said Myanmar is satisfied with the progress in Myanmar-China cooperation in agriculture, exploration of human and natural resources, and construction of infrastructural facilities.

He said Myanmar, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), was ready to help China strengthen its relations with ASEAN.

After the talks, Jiang and Than Shwe attended the signing ceremony for three agreements on economic and technological cooperation, cooperation in public health, and sport cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2003)