YANGON -- China will make concerted efforts with Myanmar to comprehensively implement the joint statement on bilateral cooperation so as to enable the two peoplesto be good neighbors and partners forever and make their friendship last from generation to generation.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin made the remarks here Wednesday afternoon in his talks with Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peaceand Development Council of Myanmar.

Than Shwe welcomed Jiang, saying Jiang has brought the Chinesepeople's friendship to Myanmar and helped deepen the "pawkphaw" (fraternal) friendship between the two peoples, and this visit willbe recorded in the history of bilateral friendly contacts.

Jiang said that China and Myanmar are two friendly neighbors with a deep "pawkphaw" friendship, and Myanmar was among one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the new China.

Leaders of the older generations cultivated bilateral friendship and jointly sponsored the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, noted Jiang, adding that the two countries took the lead in solving border issues left over by the history through consultations.

He said that leaders of the younger generation of the two countries have continued to keep close contacts with increasing mutual trust and friendship.

Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields have hadsteady development and withstood the test of changes of the international situations, said Jiang.

He attributed it to the two countries' adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, good-neighborly friendship, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, mutual respect and equal treatment, saying this has laid a firm foundation for the continuous progress of bilateral relations.

Citing the two countries' similar historical experience, Jiangpointed to the consolidation of bilateral relations during their struggles for independence and liberation, safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and building their countries.

He stressed that bilateral friendship is in the aspiration andfundamental interest of the two peoples, which has gained support from the two peoples, thus pushing forward the progress of bilateral ties.

Jiang noted that the development of China-Myanmar good-neighborly friendship is an important component of China's foreignpolicy, and this principle will not change.

Echoing Jiang, Than Shwe said Myanmar is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties, hoping that bilateral "pawkphaw" friendship will be carried forward from generation to generation.

He noted that the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence have become an important norm guiding international relations.

He reiterated that Myanmar will continue to follow the "One China" policy and will never develop any official contacts with Taiwan.

Than Shwe also spoke highly of China's rapid development, saying that Beijing's successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games and China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) indicate that China will make new and important contributions to world peace and development in the new century.

He said he hoped China, under the current international situations, will play a bigger role in safeguarding the just rights and interests of developing countries.

Jiang suggested that the two sides continue high-level contacts, enhance understandings and friendship, further cooperation in various fields and people-to-people contacts, promote the overall development of bilateral ties, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

Jiang said that under the new situation, both sides can strengthen their coordination in the United Nations, the WTO, eastAsian cooperation and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) regional forum so as to contribute to international and regional stability and development.

On bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Jiang said China will continue to encourage Chinese business people to invest in Myanmar and will continue to offer possible assistance.

China will work with Myanmar to explore bilateral cooperation,said Jiang, suggesting that the two sides take agriculture, development of human and natural resources and infrastructural construction as their cooperative priority in the future.

Than Shwe agreed with Jiang, saying that Myanmar attaches importance to the development of friendly cooperation with China and thanks for China's support and assistance.

He briefed Jiang on bilateral cooperative prospects and welcomed Chinese businesses to Myanmar.

He also told Jiang about Myanmar's domestic situation, saying that his country is enjoying social stability and economic development, and the Myanmar government is making efforts to builda peaceful and prosperous country.

Jiang expressed his pleasure with Myanmar government's achievements in recent years, and said that China holds that the world is colorful, and every country is entitled to choosing a development path suited to its own conditions.

China will, as always, continue to support Myanmar government's efforts for safeguarding social stability and promoting economicprogress, added Jiang.

They also exchanged views on international and regional issuesof common interest.

Jiang invited Than Shwe to visit China again and the latter accepted the invitation.

After the talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperative documents which cover frontier defense; economic and technological cooperation; encouragement, promotion and protection of investment; plant quarantine; animal quarantine and hygiene; fishery; and petroleum.

On Wednesday evening, Than Shwe hosted a dinner in honor of Jiang. They watched a performance given by local artists after thedinner.

Jiang arrived here at noon Wednesday for a four-day state visit to Myanmar as guest of Than Shwe.