He expressed the wish that the two countries fully utilize their own specific advantages to seek suitable projects and expand cooperation.

Zhu made the remarks during a meeting with the visiting Chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council, Than Shwe, at Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of the Chinese government.

Zhu said the two neighbors enjoyed geographic advantages in expanding trade and economic cooperation.

He said their heads of state had reached important consensus on the direction of the development of bilateral ties in recent years. He said relevant departments of both governments had worked hard to achieve those common views. The two sides had made positive progress in cooperation in many fields.

Noting that Than Shwe and Chinese President Jiang Zemin put forward new ideas for the development of bilateral relations during their fruitful talks on Tuesday, Zhu said various Chinese government departments would make active efforts to act on those new ideas and common views, to raise bilateral ties to a new level.

He said China would continue to offer economic help to Myanmar where possible.

Than Shwe said Myanmar welcomed Chinese companies setting up in the country. He said the two countries did not have any problems or obstacles in bilateral relations. He said as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Myanmar was glad to see the constantly improving relationship between ASEAN and China. He expressed appreciation over China's important contribution to ASEAN's general development and the belief that China would play a more active and important role in regional and international affairs.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2003)