進入新時代的中緬關系大有可為

高航 許俊豪

2020年是中緬建交70周年，中國國家主席習近平在年初對緬甸進行歷史性訪問，開啟了中緬關系新時代。同時，從2020年初至今，中緬兩國也受到了新冠肺炎疫情帶來的諸多挑戰。進入新時代的中緬關系在疫情挑戰下如何發展？

在中緬建交70周年紀念日來臨之際，中國駐緬甸大使陳海接受了《中國—東盟博覽》雜志的專訪。訪問一開始，陳海就說道：“最近深有體會的是習近平主席在今年中國兩會中向政協委員說過的兩句話，‘在危機中育新機，于變局中開新局。這對于中緬關系和雙方構建命運共同體來說，也是如此。”進入新時代的中緬關系前景廣闊，大有可為。

攜手抗疫，進一步夯實雙邊友好

中緬有延綿千年的胞波情誼和患難與共的優良傳統。疫情一開始，中緬兩國就成為了攜手抗疫的親密伙伴。中國在疫情嚴重的時候，得到了來自緬甸政府、軍隊和社會各界的大力支持，其中緬甸軍隊在自身醫療物資不充裕的情況下，仍專門派軍機運送醫療物資援助。而緬甸疫情爆發后，中國不僅為緬甸提供了數批急需的抗疫物資，還先后派出三批醫療專家組援助緬甸，為緬甸提供了核酸檢測設備和實驗室、培訓了一大批醫務工作者，有效提升了緬甸防控疫情的能力。

“緬甸在防疫方面能力有限、壓力很大。但這次在緬甸國務資政昂山素季領導下，緬甸中央防控疫情機制開展了有力、有效的工作。截至2020年6月，確診病例只有200多例。”陳海說道，“在一個擁有近6000萬人口，醫療基礎條件相對薄弱的國家，這樣的防疫成績來之不易。”

5月28日，緬甸國際合作部部長覺丁與陳海通電話時，再次代表緬甸政府向來自中國各方面的支持和幫助表示感謝。“這些感謝我相信不是虛的，它是以實際行動為基礎的，切實體現了中緬的‘胞波兄弟之情、伙伴之情、鄰居之義，以及命運共同體的內涵。”陳海說道。

陳海表示，這次的抗疫合作，成為進一步夯實中緬友好關系的一個重要契機。“我們將用好這樣的契機，把更多工作扎實地做到緬甸社會各階層。今年中國將全面建成小康社會，我們要帶動緬甸的發展，讓緬甸同我們一起共奔小康。”陳海說道。

中緬經濟走廊建設開拓新局面

2020年，為如期全面建成小康社會，中國面臨著“六穩六保”的任務。同樣，緬甸在抗疫背景下經濟社會發展也面臨很大困難，需要穩就業、穩民生。受疫情影響，大量的緬籍務工人員從泰國、中國的邊境省份返鄉，大量的項目又處于停工狀態，穩增長的壓力非常大。今年又是緬甸的大選年，要選出新一屆的議會和國家領導機構。

“在這種情況下，緬甸既要通過自身努力，也要依靠來自國外的經貿投資來促進經濟、民生的脫困和發展，中國也進一步成為對緬甸提供支持的重要合作伙伴。”陳海說道。

2020年初，習近平主席在訪問緬甸期間，中緬雙方達成了包括構建中緬命運共同體在內的諸多重要共識，也促進了中緬經濟走廊從概念規劃轉入實質建設階段。據陳海介紹，近期中國駐緬甸大使館在中國國內的支持下，推進中緬經濟走廊建設取得積極進展，尤其是中緬經濟走廊框架下的3個重要項目：瑞麗—木姐邊境經濟合作區、皎漂深水港和相關經濟特區及仰光新城項目。

例如瑞麗—木姐邊境經濟合作區項目，中緬雙方的工作組已經確定在6月進行對接，并且爭取早日形成邊境合作區規劃，為“后疫情時期”啟動建設打下基礎。另外，皎漂深水港和經濟特區、仰光新城項目在規劃合作等方面也在取得扎實進展。

“我相信這些重大項目的啟動，對于提振緬甸社會各界的信心、帶動緬甸的就業和經濟增長將發揮重要作用。除此以外，交通、電力互聯互通等其他一些項目，我們也在推動。可以看出，在疫情的影響下，中緬經濟走廊的合作沒有停滯，而是在孕育新機、向前發展。”陳海說道。

相互支持，共同反對外來干涉

“當今世界正在經歷百年未有之大變局，在疫情下，這樣的變局正在進一步演變。”陳海說道。當今國際關系中不公正不平等現象依然突出，包括中緬在內的發展中國家在維護各自主權、安全、發展利益方面面臨新的挑戰。

中緬兩國作為建交70年的友好鄰國，早在20世紀50年代就共同倡導了和平共處五項原則，這些原則在今天的大變局中仍然煥發著強大的生命力。在涉及彼此核心利益和重大關切問題上，中緬兩國始終相互支持、相互理解。習近平主席在訪問緬甸期間，同緬甸領導人進一步達成了共同反對外來干涉的共識。

最近一段時間以來，少數國家和部分勢力就涉港問題不斷挑事。5月28日，緬甸國際合作部部長覺丁代表緬甸支持中國出于維護國家安全，針對香港進行相關立法的舉措，明確表達了支持“一國兩制”、支持香港繁榮穩定的立場。

同樣，當緬甸的和平與發展受到一些西方勢力的干涉時，中方也根據緬方關切的問題的是非曲直，在若開邦等問題上為緬方主持公道，發揮了建設性作用。

“我想這些都是在國際和地區形勢紛繁復雜的變化中，中緬雙方可以加強合作，也正在加強合作的地方。”陳海說道。

期待東博會走進緬甸

談及中國—東盟博覽會（以下簡稱東博會），曾經在東博會秘書處任職、并參與東博會籌劃和舉辦的陳海對東博會有著特殊的感情，也給予很高的評價。“16年來，東博會已經成為促進中國與東盟友好交流、經貿往來及多領域合作的重要平臺，以及中國與東盟國家增進政治互信的橋梁紐帶。”陳海說道。

在新的形勢下，中國與東盟的關系、東博會的平臺作用變得更加重要。陳海不僅期待著第17屆東博會再次取得豐碩的成果，也表示歡迎東博會在合適的時候走進緬甸。

“緬甸是東盟的重要成員，在東盟范圍內可以說是人口眾多、資源豐富，有后發優勢。緬甸政府也高度重視東博會，緬甸商務部把東博會列為每年重點支持的展會之一，工商界參展熱情高漲，參展參會規模逐年擴大，取得了良好成效，緬甸的珠寶玉石、咖啡茶葉、芒果等產品在中國廣受歡迎。”陳海表示，并期待能夠在緬甸舉辦東博會的相關專業展等活動，也愿意積極參與、推動，發揮應有的作用。

The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Myanmar. Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Myanmar earlier this year， embarking on a new journey of bilateral relations. Later， China and Myanmar have confronted many challenges brought by the COVID-19. Against this background， how will China and Myanmar write a new chapter for bilateral relations？

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Myanmar， Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Chen Hai gave an interview with China-ASEAN Panorama Magazine Agency. In the beginning， Chen said， “What impressed me most recently was the remarks delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping to CPPCC members at this years Two Sessions — ‘Cultivating new opportunities in the midst of the crisis and opening a new one in the midst of changes. This holds true for China-Myanmar relations and the building of a community of shared future.” Under this backdrop， China-Myanmar relations will bear promising prospects.

Jointly fight against the COVID-19 and further cement bilateral friendship

China and Myanmar have carried forward traditional Pauk-Phaw friendship and a fine tradition of sharing weal and woe for thousands of years. After the outbreak of the epidemic， China and Myanmar have been close partners in fighting against the COVID-19. We received substantial supports from the government， military and all walks of life of Myanmar when we faced the brunt of the epidemic. Particularly， Myanmars military applied military planes to deliver medical supplies to China when Myanmar was in the absence of medical supplies. In return， after the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Myanmar， China provided Myanmar with several batches of urgently needed anti-epidemic materials， nucleic acid testing devices and laboratories， dispatched three batches of medical experts to Myanmar， and trained a large number of medical workers， effectively improving Myanmars capacity of epidemic prevention and control.

“In the course of epidemic prevention， Myanmar was under tremendous pressure due to its limited capability. However， led by Myanmars State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi， Myanmar worked effectively and vigorously to control the epidemic， and reported only more than 200 confirmed cases. Such results were hard-won， especially for a country with a population of nearly 60 million and relatively weak medical equipment，” said Chen.

On May 28， the Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin had a phone call with Chen and expressed thanks again on behalf of the government of Myanmar for the assistance from China. “I believe the Myanmar government will show their appreciation with concrete actions， and amply demonstrate the brotherhood， partnership and neighborliness of the two sides， as well as the connotation of a community of shared future，” said Chen.

Chen indicated that mutual assistance and solidarity under the epidemic turned out to be a key to further consolidate the friendly relations between China and Myanmar. “By virtue of this opportunity， more efforts should be made to serve a broad cross-section of society in Myanmar. This year， China will complete building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. In this regard， China should bring along the development of Myanmar and jointly build a moderately prosperous society，” noted Chen.

CMEC to bring about a new situation

To complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled by 2020， the Chinese government will make a big push to ensure six priorities and the stability in six areas for steady economic momentum. Similarly， Myanmar also needs to confront such great challenges as ensuring security in job and basic living needs. Affected by the COVID-19， a large number of Burmese migrant workers returned home from the border provinces of Thailand and China. And many projects were suspended， putting great pressures on stabilizing economic growth. Besides， this year Myanmar will hold a general election to elect a new parliament and new leading bodies.

“Under such circumstances， Myanmar should not only promote economic development and peoples livelihood through its own efforts， but also rely on foreign trade and investment. Now， China has become an important partner in providing support to Myanmar，” said Chen.

During President Xis visit to Myanmar in early 2020， a number of important consensuses were reached， including the building of China-Myanmar community with a shared future. And the transition of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor （CMEC） from conceptual planning to substantive construction was promoted. According to Chen， supported by China， the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has experienced positive progress in impelling the construction of CMEC， particularly the three important projects under the framework of CMEC： China （Ruili）-Myanmar （Muse） Cross Border Economic Cooperation Zone， Kyaukpyu Deep-Water Port and Special Economic Zone， and New Yangon City Project.

Take China （Ruili）-Myanmar （Muse） Cross Border Economic Cooperation Zone as an example， its working groups have decided to carry out project docking in June， and strived to formulate plans for further border cooperation at an early date， with a view to laying a foundation for the launch of construction in the era of “post-COVID-19”. In addition， great strides have also been made in the planning and cooperation of Kyaukpyu Deep-Water Port and Special Economic Zone and New Yangon City Project.

“I believe the launch of these major projects will restore confidence in all sectors of society and inject impetus and vitality to employment and economic growth in Myanmar. On top of that， other projects including transport and power connectivity have also been pushed forward. It can see that although influenced by the epidemic， cooperation on CMEC has not been suspended but forged ahead with new opportunities，” said Chen.

Support each other and oppose external interference

“The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century， and such changes further evolve in face of the epidemic，” said Chen. As injustice and inequality remain prominent in international relations， developing countries， including China and Myanmar， face new challenges in safeguarding their respective sovereignty， security and development interests.

As friendly neighbors since the establishment of diplomatic ties 70 years ago， China and Myanmar in the 1950s jointly initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence that are still full of strong vitality in todays drastic changes. On issues concerning each others core interests and major concerns， China and Myanmar have been always supporting and understanding each other. During President Xis visit to Myanmar， he further reached consensus with Myanmars leader on jointly opposing foreign interference.

Lately， a small number of countries and some forces have been stirring up trouble over Hong Kong-related issues. On May 28， the Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin， on behalf of Myanmar， expressed supports for Chinas measures to enact a national security law on Hong Kong to safeguard national security， and clearly showed the support for the principle of “One Country， Two Systems，” and Hong Kongs prosperity and stability.

Meanwhile， the peace and development of Myanmar have been also subjected to the interference of some western forces. In line with Myanmars issues and concerns， China has played a constructive role in upholding justice for Myanmar on issues such as the Rakhine State.

“I think there are rooms where China and Myanmar can strengthen cooperation amid profound changes in the international and regional situation，” noted Chen.

Hoping CAEXPO can enter Myanmar

Chen has a special affection for and speaks highly of the CAEXPO since he once worked for the CAEXPO Secretariat and took part in the planning and organizing work of CAEXPO. “Over the past 16 years， CAEXPO has acted as a vital platform to promote China-ASEAN friendly exchanges， economic and trade exchanges and cooperation in various fields， as well as a bridge to enhance mutual political trust between China and ASEAN countries，” said Chen.

In the new era， the relationship between China and ASEAN and the role of the CAEXPO will be more notable. Chen indicated that he is not only looking forward to the fruitful results in the upcoming 17th CAEXPO， but also hoping the CAEXPO can enter Myanmar at an appropriate time.

“Myanmar as a member of ASEAN boasts second-mover advantages with a large population and abundant resources. Since the government of Myanmar attached great importance to the CAEXPO and the Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar incorporated the CAEXPO into the key exhibitions every year， the enthusiasm of the business community runs high， bringing favorable results and expanded scales of participation. Besides， Myanmars jewelry， jade， coffee tea， mango and other products are popular in China，” expressed Chen. He said that he is looking forward to holding CAEXPO-related professional exhibitions and other activities in Myanmar， and is willing to proactively participate in and promote the CAEXPO， so as to help exert the due role of CAEXPO.