Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that the decision by China and Myanmar to forge comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation is of great significance.

"The partnership is bound to push forward bilateral friendly cooperation in all areas to a new stage," Wen said when meeting with visiting Myanmar President U Thein Sein.

China-Myanmar neighborly friendliness dates back many years and the two countries share common interests in promoting regional peace and development, Wen said.

Thein Sein arrived in Beijing Thursday for his first state visit since assuming presidency in March.

Several Chinese leaders including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen met with Thein Sein Friday afternoon.

During President Hu's talks with Thein Sein, the two sides agreed to upgrade their relations to strategic partnership.

Earlier Friday afternoon, the country's top political advisor Jia Qinglin also met with Thein Sein to discuss bilateral relations.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said he appreciated Thein Sein's visit to China shortly after taking office in March.

He said the visit showed the great importance Myanmar attached to the bilateral relationship.

China and Myanmar have always maintained mutual trust and support since the two countries forged diplomatic relations more than 60 years ago, he said.

China-Myanmar relations have enjoyed rapid development, featuring frequent high-level exchanges, increasing political mutual trust and expanded economic cooperation, he said.

The two countries also have maintained mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and kept close coordination in international and regional affairs, he said.

To increase bilateral cooperation is in accordance with the fundamental interests of both nations and is conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity, said Jia.

He called on both sides to enhance strategic mutual trust, raise the level of economic and trade cooperation and expand people-to-people and culture exchanges.

China is ready to work with Myanmar to deepen traditional friendship and enhance comprehensive cooperation and make the two countries good neighbors, good friends and good partners, said Jia.

Thein Sein said he appreciated Jia's visit to Myanmar in April shortly after the new Myanmar administration took office.

He also thanked Jia for his valuable advice on developing bilateral relations during his April visit.

Thein Sein said his visit aimed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two nations and show Myanmar's willingness to advance mutually-beneficial cooperation in various fields.

"I am glad to see the bilateral relations developing towards the strategic cooperative level on the basis of traditional brotherly friendship," he said.

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