BEIJING -- Premier Li Keqiang said on Nov 8 that he expects his upcoming visit to Myanmar can further strengthen political mutual trust and push forward cooperation on major connectivity projects.

Premier Li made the remarks while meeting with Myanmar President Thein Sein who is in Beijing to attend a dialogue on strengthening connectivity partnership.

The Premier will attend a series of leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation from Nov 12 to 14 in Myanmar, and pay an official visit to the country at the invitation of Thein Sein.

Premier Li said he expects his visit can build political consensus on the development of China-Myanmar relations, advance the construction of the economic corridor linking Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar, and push forward cooperation on major connectivity projects.

He also expressed hope that his visit can cement people-to-people and non-governmental exchanges between the two countries, so as to elevate the China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights and benefit the two peoples.

The Premier said that China has always supported the integration process of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and stands ready to be good neighbors, good friends and good partners with its members forever.

China is willing to actively push forward negotiations and signing of the China-ASEAN treaty on good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation, and speed up the building of the upgraded version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area as well as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Premier Li said.

Regarding the upcoming leaders’ meetings in Myanmar, which is the rotating chair of the 10-member ASEAN this year, the Premier said that he expects all sides to focus on cooperation and highlight consensus so as to promote regional development and prosperity and advance East Asian cooperation.

Thein Sein, on his part, said China’s remarkable development achievements have driven the development of its neighboring countries, including Myanmar.

The Myanmar government and people expect Premier Li’s visit to lift the Myanmar-China and ASEAN-China relations to new heights, he said.

The president noted that the building of the “One Belt and One Road,” or the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, will benefit ASEAN members.

Myanmar stands ready to push forward Myanmar-China cooperation projects, including the oil and gas pipeline, along with the Chinese side, and protect the rights and interests of overseas investors in Myanmar, including the Chinese, he added.