Join Hands in Contributing to Human Development through Strengthening Trust and Cooperation

Aung San Suu Kyi

State Counselor of Myanmar

It gives me great honor to participate in the Thematic Forum on People-to-People Connectivity of Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation today. Bringing friendship, we are all here in this room to discuss cooperation. Friendship and cooperation must be based on mutual trust and understanding. Without mutual trust, there cannot be true friendship and cooperation. The occasion of every international conference is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation. Let us find common ground and work together to contribute to the building of an even better world. Meanwhile, we are also actively solving problems we all faced in a friendly manner.

China has always carried out amicable cooperation with other countries on the basis of mutual understanding, rather than using its own influence or strong national strength to force others to cooperate. We believe that this is the proper meaning of international relations.

The biggest challenge we are facing nowadays is how to protect common values, especially the right of the people to pursue a happy life and the friendly relations among the peoples of all countries, while promoting the development and progress of human beings. If we are not satisfied or trustful with each other, it is very difficult to build a true “global village” and to live in harmony.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. China is a true friend of Myanmar and has always stood with us. When we encounter difficulties, China and the Communist Party of China always offer timely assistance and give us necessary help and support. Myanmar-China cooperation in the field of Belt and Road Initiative is an important part of Myanmar-China cooperation as a whole. We look forward to developing Myanmar-China friendship to a new high through cooperation on relevant projects.

Myanmar is still in the early stage of development and faces a variety of difficulties and challenges. We are very grateful to those who respect, understand and trust us, and we look forward to contributing to the prosperity and development of the world and the well-being of all peoples while achieving our own development and progress. China is a role model for Myanmar. The diligence and persistence of the Chinese people are not comparable to any nation in the world. We hope to learn from China and achieve national development through persistent efforts. We are confident in overcoming various risks and challenges we face and achieving peace, development and prosperity of our own country.

At the same time, we also look forward to forging closer friendship with all countries in the world. We thank China for providing us with this important opportunity! Myanmar extends a hand of friendship to all countries in the world. We always welcome the people of all countries, and are ready to warmly embrace and accept all kinds of cultures. We wish to join hands with all countries to contribute to the development of mankind!