A senior Chinese legislator said Wednesday that China will promote social exchanges with Myanmar to boost bilateral ties.

Zhou Tienong (R), vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with a delegation of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) of Myanmar headed by U Than Htay (L), member of the USDA Central Executive Committee and deputy energy minister of Myanmar, in Beijing, China, on Aug. 26, 2009. [Ma Zhancheng/Xinhua]

"We attach importance to and support friendly exchanges and cooperation between social groups and organizations in China and Myanmar, which will contribute to the development of bilateral ties," said Zhou Tienong, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, in a meeting with a delegation from a government-supported organization from Myanmar.

Zhou, also president of the Chinese Association for International Understanding, briefed the eight-member delegation on China's political and economic situation, its measures in tackling the global downturn and pledged to boost economic and trade cooperation with the international community, including Myanmar.

The delegation from the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), was headed by U Than Htay, a member of the USDA Central Executive Committee and Deputy Energy Minister.

China-Myanmar trade hit 2.6 billion US dollars last year, anda Free Trade Area of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is expected to be established in 2010.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2009)